Using Functions

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Copyright © 2015 Information Builders

This documentation describes how to use Information Builders-supplied functions to perform complex calculations and manipulate data in procedures. It is intended for application developers and end users.

How This Manual Is Organized

This manual includes the following chapters:

Chapter/Appendix

Contents

1

How to Use This Manual

Describes how to use the information in the WebFOCUS Using Functions manual.

2

Introducing Functions

Introduces functions and explains the different types of available functions.

3

Accessing and Calling a Function

Describes the considerations for supplying arguments in a function, and explains how to use a function in a command and access functions stored externally.

4

Character Functions

Describes character functions that manipulate alphanumeric fields and character strings.

5

Variable Length Character Functions

Describes variable-length character functions which manipulate alphanumeric fields and character strings.

6

Simplified Character Functions

Describes character functions that have streamlined parameter lists, similar to those used by SQL functions.

7

Character Functions for DBCS Code Pages

Describes functions that manipulate strings of DBCS and SBCS characters when the configuration uses a DBCS code page.

8

Maintain-specific Character Functions

Describes Maintain-specific character functions that manipulate alphanumeric fields and character strings.

9

Data Source and Decoding Functions

Describes data source and decoding functions that search for data source records, retrieve data source records or values, and assign values based on the value of an input field.

10

Date Functions

Describes date functions that manipulate date values.

11

Date-Time Functions

Describes date-time functions that manipulate date-time values.

12

Simplified Date and Date-Time Functions

Describes date and date-time functions that have streamlined parameter lists, similar to those used by SQL functions.

13

Maintain-specific Date and Time Functions

Describes Maintain-specific date and time functions that manipulate date and time values.

14

Format Conversion Functions

Describes format conversion functions that convert fields from one format to another.

15

Maintain-specific Light Update Support Functions

Describes light update support functions that retrieve WebFOCUS parameter or variable data implicitly from within a Maintain procedure.

16

Numeric Functions

Describes numeric functions that perform calculations on numeric constants and fields.

17

Maintain-specific Script Functions

Describes script functions that enable you to integrate JavaScript and VBScripts into your WebFOCUS Maintain applications and to perform client-side execution without returning to the WebFOCUS Server.

18

System Functions

Describes system functions that call the operating system to obtain information about the operating environment or to use a system service.

A

Creating a Subroutine

Describes how to create custom subroutines in addition to the functions provided by Information Builders.

Documentation Conventions

The following table describes the documentation conventions that are used in this manual.

Convention

Description

THIS TYPEFACE

or

this typeface

Denotes syntax that you must enter exactly as shown.

this typeface

Represents a placeholder (or variable) in syntax for a value that you or the system must supply.

underscore

Indicates a default setting.

this typeface

Represents a placeholder (or variable), a cross-reference, or an important term. It may also indicate a button, menu item, or dialog box option that you can click or select.

Key + Key

Indicates keys that you must press simultaneously.

{  }

Indicates two or three choices. Type one of them, not the braces.

[  ]

Indicates a group of optional parameters. None are required, but you may select one of them. Type only the parameter in the brackets, not the brackets.

|

Separates mutually exclusive choices in syntax. Type one of them, not the symbol.

...

Indicates that you can enter a parameter multiple times. Type only the parameter, not the ellipsis (...).

.
.
.

Indicates that there are (or could be) intervening or additional commands.

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