a (algebraic) processing code The a processing code is a recursive algebraic function that creates algebraic formulas and relational operations consisting of operands and operators; these expressions are used by AQL as well as the B-tree indexes. The a processing codes are translated into f processing codes by the AQL compiler. The functional operators and operands for the a processing code are the same as that of the f processing code, except as noted.
b (bridge) processing code The b processing code maintains a horizontal relationship (bridge) between an attribute in one item and an item in another file (or the same file) on the system level.
c (controlling) processing code The c processing code defines the controlling attribute in a controlling/dependent pair of attributes when placed in attribute 4 of the ADI.
call processing code The call processing code calls a BASIC or FlashBASIC subroutine from the file-defining item or an ADI. Called subroutines are Flash compiled to improve performance.
cu (character update) processing code The cu processing code allows data in a defined attribute with an output-conversion (attribute 7) or correlative (attribute 8) to be changed character by character with the Update processor. The cu processing code is placed in the input-conversion (attribute 14). If cu is not specified, existing data is erased and nulled when editing is started.
d (date) processing code The d processing code invokes the date conversion function to convert an external date to internal format, or more commonly, to convert an internal date to one of many available output formats. By convention, day 0 (in internal format) on the D3 calendar is December 31, 1967. It was selected in 1968 and has never been changed, thereby retaining compatibility. For example, June 26, 1987, has an internal value of 7117, which is the number of days since 12/31/67. It follows that 7118 is June 27, 1987. Dates before 1968 are stored as negative numbers. For example, December 30, 1967, is -1.
d (dependent value) processing code The d processing code defines the dependent attribute in a control/dependent pair of correlated MultiValues; the controlling attribute must contain a c code. The attribute count specified in the attribute count parameter must contain the c code and attribute count of the controlling attribute. Note that this function belongs in attribute 4 of the item.
f (f-correlative) processing code The f-correlative is used in the conversion (attribute 7), correlative (attribute 8), and input-conversion (attribute 14) attributes of attribute-defining items to create and modify the associated attribute value using various mathematical and logical operations.
g (group extract) processing code The g processing code extracts one or more groups of contiguous character substrings delimited by the specified character.
i (index) processing code The i processing code is stored in the correlative (attribute 8) of the file-defining items to maintain index keys. The root FID (VME only) is inserted by the system and must not be altered.
i (local index) processing code The i processing code indicates that an index exists for the current attribute. It must be defined in the attribute-defining item that corresponds to a local B-tree index previously created with a create-index command.
i (remote index) processing code The i processing code is used as an input-conversion (attribute 14) and indicates that this attribute is based on data indexed in another file. When editing data in this attribute, the user can cruise both forward and backward through the index in the specified secondary file.
id (item ID) processing code The id processing code is used by the Update processor to create new item-IDs. When the Update processor is invoked without a specified item-ID, the Update processor creates a new item. When that item is filed, the Update processor creates an item-ID for it. If there is an id processing code, the item-ID is created according to the id function indicated in the corresponding subcode. If there is no id processing code, the item-ID is created by concatenating the current date with a system-wide sequence number. The general format is only valid in the correlative (attribute 8) of the file defining item.
if (if/then) processing code The if processing code is used in dictionary attributes 7 and 8 (conversion and correlative) to generate values based on results of evaluation of expression according to the rules of a-correlative construction.
l (length) processing code The l processing code either restricts processing to values that fall within certain length restrictions or displays the length of a given value.
m (mask) processing code The m processing code is a masking conversion used for both numeric and text string formatting. This conversion is quite complex because nearly all of the elements available in its syntax are optional. The elements are listed in the order that the system evaluates the expression. If an element is going to be used, it must be in the same order shown. Each of the elements available is discussed below.
mc (mask character) processing code The mc processing code invokes one of many available processing codes available for special processing on numeric and alphabetic strings of characters. Multiple mc conversions may be placed on the same attribute in an attribute-defining item, provided that each is delimited by a value mark.
mi (must input) processing code The mi processing code is used as an input-conversion code (attribute 14) and prohibits filing an item if any attribute defined with an mi code is null.
mt (mask time) processing code The mt processing code invokes the time conversion function to convert external time representations to internal format or to convert internal time values to one of a variety of external time formats.
mx (mask ASCII to hexadecimal) processing code The mx processing code converts all ASCII characters in a given value to their corresponding ASCII-hexadecimal equivalent. The characters are converted one at a time to 2-digit hexadecimal numbers. The my code is the inverse of the mx code.
my (mask hexadecimal to ASCII) processing code The my processing code converts all ASCII hexadecimal characters in a given value to their corresponding ASCII equivalent. The characters are converted two at a time to 1-digit ASCII characters. The mx code is the inverse of the my code.
o (sort values ascending) processing code The o processing code sorts the values in the specified attributes in ascending order. The values are sorted when the item is filed.
p (pattern match) processing code The p processing code tests a value and determines if it matches a predetermined pattern matchstring composed of alphabetic, numeric, or literal characters.
r (range) processing code The r processing code invokes the range function, and restricts processing to those values that fall within given minimum and maximum range restrictions. Multiple range specifications allow display of the data value if the data value falls between any of the range pair sets. In using multiple range set specifications on negative values, the ranges should be in ascending sequence, beginning with the lowest.
s (subindex) processing code The s (Subindex) processing code is used to update an index that uses a file translation if the value in the translate file changes. This processing code is set from Attribute 8 of the File Definition Item for the data section of a translate file.
s (substitution) processing code The s processing code substitutes either a data value from the referenced attribute or literal text when the current data value is null or zero.
t (text extraction) processing code The t processing code provides a facility for extracting any number of characters from an attribute, starting at the position and length specified.
t (translate) processing code The t processing code uses the presented value as an item-ID and attempts to retrieve the corresponding item in another file to obtain a value from one of its attributes to substitute.
v (value limit) processing code The v processing code specifies the maximum number of values allowed in an attribute when as an input-conversion (attribute 14). If the v processing code is not defined, there is no limit to the number of values available in an attribute.
v (within) processing code The v processing code is used by the within connective and must be placed in the correlative attribute 8 of the file-defining item (D-pointer).
x (Display Only) processing code The x processing code is used as an input-conversion (attribute 14) and indicates that the specified attribute is for display only. The attribute cannot be updated.
x (update stamp) processing code The x processing code is placed in the correlative of a file-defining item to provide an audit trail for items that are updated via the Update processor.
y (update stamping) processing code The y processing code stamps user, PIB, and/or time/date update information into an internal item header from all processors.
zc (zip code) processing code The zc processing code uses the zcf file to display the city, state, and Zip code. For international zip codes, an additional country file is used. For U.S.A. zip codes, zc displays a standard 5-digit zip code or the zip+4 code.