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1.1.6 NChar
An NChar is a fixed-length character field, with a length between 1 and 65,535. (This is the number of characters, not the byte length.)
NChar fields store alpha data of any codepage. For example, in a list, an NChar field may have Japanese in one row, and French in another row.
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Please review the general 1.1.1 Field Type Considerations.
Field Definition Rules
Rules for defining a Char field in the repository are:
Length | NChars may be 1 to 65,535 in length. NChars have no decimals. |
|---|---|
Valid Keyboard Shift | Blanks. |
Allowed Attributes | AB, ASQN, CS, FE, LC, ND, RA, RB, RL, RLTB. |
Edit Mask | Not allowed. |
Default | *NULL |
Usage Rules
Partition Type | RDMLX Enabled PartitionPartition |
|---|---|
Files | NChars may only be used in RDMLX Files. NChars may be used as real or key fields. If used as keys, length must be no more than 2000 characters. |
Logical Views | NChars may be used as key fields. If used as keys, the length must be less than 2000 characters. |
Virtual Fields | NChars may be used with Code Fragment Virtual Fields. |
Predetermined Join Fields | NChars may be used for lookup predermined predetermined joined fields. |
RDML Commands | DEF_HEAD, DEF_FOOT, DEF_BREAK, and DEF_LINE only support printing of RDML fields. Therefore, NChar fields need to be converted to Alpha to be used in reports. |
Built-In Functions | When used in Built-In Functions, Chars are valid for arguments of type 'A' arguments. |
Special Values | *NULL, *NAVAIL |
Conversion | Refer to Field Type Conversions. |
Platform Considerations
- Refer to Platform Considerations in 1.1.1 Field Type Considerations.
Tips & Techniques
- If there is no need to support multiple languages at execution time, use an Alpha field or a Char field.
- If you want trailing blanks to be significant, use an NVarChar field.