Numeric masks

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Description

Remembering that Query Language will only use integers in arithmetic calculations, it is advisable that when storing numbers, they are always stored as integers with the decimal places created by Conversion statements.

Syntax

MR meaning Mask with Right Hand Justification. ML meaning Mask with Left Hand Justification. MR00 or ML00 will show the value as an integer with no decimals, even if decimals are stored. MR22 or ML22 will show the value with 2 decimal places but first dividing the field by 100 or 10 to the power of 2. (Shift decimal left 2). MR02 or ML02 will show the value but first dividing by 100. MR20 or MR2 or ML20 or ML2 will show the value with two decimals; BUT the decimal (if any) are stored as such in the field.

Remarks

Be careful, when using integers for decimal numbers within calculations, remember to divide by the appropriate power of 10 to obtain the correct integer.

Numerical masking can present the data, right or left hand justified.

Data can be presented with or without decimal places and with or without a decimal shift.