Definition

Data Type

The data type is one of the following BBj types:

• Character (C)

• Number (N)

• Integer (I)

• Unsigned Integer (U)

• Business Math (B)

• Binary Large Object (BLOB) (O)

Data Subtype

Several predefined data types, mostly involving standard date and time formats:

• Date (YYYYMMDD)

• Date (YYYYMM)

• Date (YYYY)

• Date (YYMMDD)

• Date (MMDD)

• Date (Julian)

• Created Date Stamp (YYYYMMDD). Automatically set by Barista when a record is created.

• Revised Date Stamp (YYYYMMDD). Automatically updated by Barista when an existing record is modified.

• Created Time Stamp (HHMMSS). Automatically set by Barista when a record is created.

• Revised Time Stamp (HHMMSS). Automatically updated by Barista when an existing record is modified.

• Time (HHMMSS)

• Time (HHMM)

• Time (MMSS)

• Sequence Counter. Can only be used as a key field; must be defined as Character. Barista automatically increments this value on the highest key currently in the table.

• Image Path. The value is entered as a filename, or any string expression that resolves to a filename. For example:
  [+IMAGE]+cvs([ITEM_ID],2)+".jpg"

Data Field Length

Length of this field:

• 1..9999 (Character and Number)

• 1..8 (Integer and Unsigned Integer)

• 8 (Business Math)

• Unlimited (BLOB)

Control Type

GUI control type to be used to manipulate data elements of this type:

• CharacterEdit (BBjInputE or password-style BBjEditBox)

• CharacterSpinner (BBjInputESpinner)

• NumericEdit (BBjInputN)

• NumericSpinner (BBjInputNSpinner)

• DateEdit (BBjInputD)

• DateSpinner (BBjInputDSpinner)

• MultiLineEdit (BBjCEdit)

• ListButton (BBjListButton) (Requires Element List Definitions)

• ListBox (BBjListBox) (Requires Element List Definitions)

• CheckBox (BBjCheckBox)

• Slider (BBjSlider)

• RadioButton Group (BBjRadioButton) (Requires Element List Definitions)

• None – Hidden. Used for data elements that will be stored to the file, but not displayed on the form.

• None – Ref Only. Used to enter information for documentation (reference) purposes only. Does not cause data to be stored to the file, and is not displayed on the form.

Window Label

Enter the default label to be used when adding a data element of this type to a Maintenance Form or Options Entry Form. The initial default value corresponds to the Description from the header.

Column Header

Enter the default column header to be used when adding a data element of this type to a Maintenance Grid or Options Entry Grid, or when it appears on a columnar report. The initial default value corresponds to the Description from the header.

System ID

The System ID is an optional code that works with the Mask Type to lookup a mask from a standard table.

Mask Type

The Mask Type is a standard predefined mask that can be selected from the following list:

• Amount

• ID

• Units

• Percent

• Rate

• Extension

• Quantity

• Cost

• Price

• Conv Factor

• Mtl Factor

• Ovhd Factor

• Hours

• Zip Code

• Telephone

The actual value of each mask is defined in the "Input/Display Masks" program, which can be accessed from the Administration menu:

User Prompt

The user prompt (help message) appears in the first segment of the status bar when data elements of this type are selected.

Input Mask

This is the mask to be used for data entry.

Output Mask

This is the mask to be used for displaying and reporting data elements of this type. If not set, the input mask is used.

Fixed Width (Pixels)

To force a particular width for GUI controls generated to a Maintenance Form or Options Entry Form, enter a value here. In most cases, this should be left blank; the system will generate an appropriately sized control.

Fixed Height (Pixels)

To force a particular height for GUI controls generated to a Maintenance Form or Options Entry Form, enter a value here. In most cases, this should be left blank; the system will generate an appropriately sized control.

Preset Value

If a value is entered here, it will be used as the enforced (display-only) value for data elements of this type. Preset Value and Default Value are mutually exclusive; if both are set, Preset Value is used.

Default Value

If a value is entered here, it will be used as the default (editable) value for data elements of this type. Preset Value and Default Value are mutually exclusive; if both are set, Preset Value is used.

Solution Company ID

This alphanumeric code identifies the company that is defining this data element type.

Solution Product ID

This alphanumeric code identifies the primary product that will use data elements of this type. For example, an inventory code is used by multiple applications, but its Solution Product ID would be the Inventory Control application.