'ProvideX v8.20 Language Reference' by Sage Software Canada Ltd.

ProvideX V8.20 > Language Reference > A. Appendix

811

Data Format Masks

A format mask is a character string that can be used to define how data is to be

displayed or printed in ProvideX (PRINT Directive, p.253). Masks can also be

applied to filter data being received from the keyboard (INPUT Directive, p.159) or

in the conversion/validation of a string (STR( ) Function, p.523).

For further information on data input and output in ProvideX, refer to the ProvideX

User's Guide.

Assigning a Format Mask

To assign a format mask in ProvideX syntax, place a colon before the mask following

the given data value:

val[$]:mask$

mask$ may be a literal string, a string variable, substring, or a string expression

(concatenation); e.g.,

0010 PRINT "The total is ",A:"$#,###,##0.00CR"

0010 LET MASK$="000-0000"

0020 PRINT "Phone: ",T:MASK$

The number of characters defined in a mask must be equal to or larger than the

number of characters to be displayed. One output character is generated for each

character present in the format mask.

When more characters exist in the data value than are specified in the format mask,

the result will generate an Error #43: Format mask invalid; e.g., outputting

1000 with a mask of "##0" causes an error. However, the parameters 'FI', 'F,' and

'FO'= can be specified to handle overflows without generating errors.

Format Defaults

If no format mask is specified when outputting numeric values, the system formats

the value as follows:

· The first character output will indicate the sign of the value. A space will be output

if positive, a minus sign if negative.

· If the absolute value is greater than 10E+18 or is less than 10E-18 (but not zero), the

value is output using scientific notation.

· The number is rounded to the current precision in effect and output suppressing

all leading zeroes and all trailing zeroes following the decimal point. The decimal

point is suppressed if no digits remain after it.

For example, assuming precision of two:

->0010 PRINT 3/2, 6/3, 3-4, 2/3

1.5 2-1 .67