Enform Plus Reference Manual

Clauses
Enform Plus Reference Manual—422684-001
5-12
Repeatable Edit Descriptors
Mask Edit Descriptor
The mask edit descriptor specifies a display format according to a template. The syntax
is as follows:
mask
is a set of symbols or characters enclosed within quotation marks (“ ”), apostrophes
(‘ ’), or angle brackets (< >). The symbols in a mask that serve a special function
are:
Numeric Values
If the mask specified for a numeric value is too small, an overflow condition occurs.
The special symbols Z and 9 describe numeric values. If the digit selector is a 9, Enform
Plus prints the corresponding data digit. If the digit selector is a Z, Enform Plus prints
the corresponding data digit unless it is a leading or trailing zero. In this case, Enform
Plus blank fills the position held by the zero.
Decimal point location can be indicated for numeric values by using either the symbol.
or the symbol V. When the symbol. is used, a decimal point prints. When the symbol V
is used, it indicates only decimal alignment and no decimal point prints. If neither the
symbol. nor the symbol V is specified, Enform Plus places the decimal point as the
rightmost character of the entire mask.
Alphabetic Values
Alphabetic values must be specified by the symbol Z in a mask edit descriptor.
Display Format and Scale
The output mask used to display a value has no effect on the scale of the value. For
example, if the value of the user variable cost is an integer, and the variable appears in
the query as:
LIST (cost) AS M<99.99>, ...
M mask
Z
is a digit selector. Z specifies that if no digit exists, zeros are suppressed. Z can be
used with alphanumeric or numeric data. Note: a capital Z must be used for the
special symbol.
9
is a digit selector. If no digit exists, zeros are printed; used for numeric data only.
V
indicates decimal alignment for the display format. When V is specified, the
decimal point is not printed. Note: a capital V must be used for the special symbol.
.
indicates decimal alignment for the display format. When the symbol. (period) is
used, the decimal point is printed.