User's Guide


Basic data types

You can set a data type for most basic visual parts by selecting the converter property, selecting ... in the part's settings and, in the window that opens, selecting a data type from the Data Type drop-down list. After you select a data type from the drop-down list, the options available for the data type you selected are shown a table below the drop-down list. The context-sensitive help can give you some information about these options.

The data types that VisualAge supports are listed below, along with descriptions and some of the more interesting formatting options for each data type.

Data type Format Options
Boolean A true or false value
Character A single character value You can set a default value and select rules for converting the case of what the user types.
Date A date value with the year, month, and day
DBCS Only A double-byte character string
Decimal A decimal value You can set options for the minimum and maximum values, U.S. or European separators, sign placement, and other settings
Float A floating point number You can set options for the minimum and maximum values, U.S. or European separators, sign placement, number of decimal places, and other settings
Integer A whole integer value You can set options for the minimum and maximum values, the currency symbol, sign placements, and other settings
Monetary Amount A currency value You can set options for the minimum and maximum values, the currency symbol, symbol placements, and other settings
Number A numeric value You can set options for the minimum and maximum values, U.S. or European separators, sign placement, and other settings.
Social Security Number A U.S. social security number You can set options for the minimum, maximum, and default values.
String A character string You can set options for the minimum number of characters required, the default value, and any case conversion that you need.
Time A time value with hours, minutes, and seconds You can set options for 12- or 24-hour format, separator character, and default value.
Timestamp A system time stamp that specifes a date and time
USA State A full name or abbreviation of a U.S.A. state, a territory, or the District of Columbia You can enter and display either the full name or the two-character postal abbreviation for the state.
Zip Code A U.S. postal zip code value You can select either the 5-digit format or the zip-plus-4 format.


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