...
This allows the query to look at one or more characters from a field for comparison or display purposes. For instance, if the query needs display the last four numbers of the SSN.
The following images illustrated calculation of date illustrate substring using Expression:
Expression:
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This selects four bytes of the NATIONAL_ID, starting in column 6. You may type in the field name (don't forget the prefix) or press the Add Field link to search for the field. Press OK when you are done.
Note Remember to use the field/expression in your report.
An example of substring:
Decode
What Expression Does:
This allows the query to convert a database value to something more meaningful. For instance, if the query needs to display the class schedule with days of the weeks rather than a 'Y' or 'N' flags.
The following images illustrate the decode function in Expressions:
Expression:
| Panel |
|---|
| decode (E.MON, 'Y', 'Mo') || decode (E.TUES, 'Y', 'Tu') || decode (E.WED, 'Y', 'We') || decode (E.THURS, 'Y', 'Th') || decode (E.FRI, 'Y', 'Fr') || decode (E.SAT, 'Y', 'Sa') || decode (E.SUN, 'Y', 'Su') |
How to create:
In the Expression Type: field, select character. In the length field, enter 14, to allow two bytes for each day of the week (7 x 2). In the Expression Text, enter the phase mentioned above
This converts the 'Y' value into a day of the week. The 'N' value is ignored. The '||' (double bar) is the concatenate symbol. You may type in the field name (don't forget the prefix) or press the Add Field link to search for the field. Press OK when you are done.
Note Remember to use the field/expression in your report. So instead of seven columns with 'Y' or 'N', the query will print something like 'MoWeFr'. An example of decode:
Decode
What Expression Does:
This allows the query to convert a database value to something more meaningful. For instance, if the query needs to display the class schedule with days of the weeks rather than a 'Y' or 'N' flags.
The following images illustrated calculation of date using Expression:
Expression:
| Panel |
|---|
| decode (E.MON, 'Y', 'Mo') || decode (E.TUES, 'Y', 'Tu') || decode (E.WED, 'Y', 'We') || decode (E.THURS, 'Y', 'Th') || decode (E.FRI, 'Y', 'Fr') || decode (E.SAT, 'Y', 'Sa') || decode (E.SUN, 'Y', 'Su') |
How to
calculatecreate:
In the Expression Type: field, select character. In the length field, enter 14, to allow two bytes for each day of the week (7 x 2). In the Expression Text, enter the phase mentioned above
This converts the 'Y' value into a day of the week. The 'N' value is ignored. The '||' (double bar) is the concatenate symbol. You may type in the field name (don't forget the prefix) or press the Add Field link to search for the field. Press OK when you are done.
Note Remember to use the field/expression in your report. So instead of seven columns with 'Y' or 'N', the query will print something like 'MoWeFr'. An example of decode:
TO_CHAR
What Expression Does:
This allows the query to convert a number to a character field.
The following images illustrate the conversion of a number to a character using Expression:
Expression:
| Panel |
|---|
| decode (E.MON, 'Y', 'Mo') || decode (E.TUES, 'Y', 'Tu') || decode (E.WED, 'Y', 'We') || decode (E.THURS, 'Y', 'Th') || decode (E.FRI, 'Y', 'Fr') || decode (E.SAT, 'Y', 'Sa') || decode (E.SUN, 'Y', 'Su') |
How to create:
In the Expression Type: field, select character. In the length field, enter 14, to allow two bytes for each day of the week (7 x 2). In the Expression Text, enter the phase mentioned above
This converts the 'Y' value into a day of the week. The 'N' value is ignored. The '||' (double bar) is the concatenate symbol. You may type in the field name (don't forget the prefix) or press the Add Field link to search for the field. Press OK when you are done.
Note Remember to use the field/expression in your report. So instead of seven columns with 'Y' or 'N', the query will print something like 'MoWeFr'. An example of decode:
