FormatArgsAsExp

Description

Controls whether PocketBuilder converts a DataWindow retrieval argument of decimal datatype to scientific (exponential) notation if the argument exceeds 12 digits but has fewer than 16 digits. If FormatArgsAsExp is set to Yes, PocketBuilder performs this conversion.

When to specify FormatArgsAsExp You must specify a value for FormatArgsAsExp before connecting to the database in PocketBuilder.

Applies to

ODBC
UL9 UltraLite 9
UL10 UltraLite 10

Syntax

FormatArgsAsExp= ‘value’

Parameter	Description
value	Specifies whether you want PocketBuilder to convert a DataWindow retrieval argument of decimal datatype to scientific (exponential) notation if the argument exceeds 12 digits but has fewer than 16 digits. Values are: Yes PocketBuilder converts a retrieval argument of decimal datatype to scientific notation if it exceeds 12 digits but has fewer than 16 digits. No (Default) PocketBuilder leaves the retrieval argument as a decimal and does not perform the default conversion to scientific notation if it exceeds 12 digits but has fewer than 16 digits.

Parameter

Description

value

Specifies whether you want PocketBuilder to convert a DataWindow retrieval argument of decimal datatype to scientific (exponential) notation if the argument exceeds 12 digits but has fewer than 16 digits. Values are:

Yes PocketBuilder converts a retrieval argument of decimal datatype to scientific notation if it exceeds 12 digits but has fewer than 16 digits.
No (Default) PocketBuilder leaves the retrieval argument as a decimal and does not perform the default conversion to scientific notation if it exceeds 12 digits but has fewer than 16 digits.

Default

FormatArgsAsExp = ‘No’

Usage

When to use The setting of FormatArgsAsExp might affect the speed of data retrieval in your DataWindow objects, especially if you are accessing large databases.

If FormatArgsAsExp is set to Yes, some DBMS optimizers might interpret the resulting scientific notation as a different datatype and scan all rows in the table to find it. This can slow data retrieval if, for example, you are accessing a DB2 database with many large tables.

Setting FormatArgsAsExp to No causes PocketBuilder to leave the retrieval argument as a decimal. This speeds data retrieval for large databases.

Retrieval argument size limited The FormatArgsAsExp DBParm is relevant only if a retrieval argument of type decimal has fewer than 16 digits.

Examples

Example 1

To tell PocketBuilder to convert a retrieval argument with more than 12 digits but fewer than 16 digits to scientific notation:

Database profile In the Database Profile Setup dialog box, check the Format Arguments in Scientific Notation check box on the Syntax tab.
PocketBuilder application script Type the following in a PocketBuilder script:
```
SQLCA.DBParm = "FormatArgsAsExp='Yes'"
```