Input Representation

Restriction: This topic applies only when the AppMaster Builder AddPack has been installed, and applies only to Windows platforms.

The Input Representation dialog box is dynamic. The fields and controls that appear on it depend on the data type you select for the field you are defining. The following list represents all possible fields or controls you might encounter:

AM Indicator
Type the AM time indicator, such as a.m. or am.
Application Edits
Click this to create your own edit routine to process data.
Decimal
Select a character to represent a decimal, such as a period (.).
Decimal Digits
Type the smallest number of digits required to follow the decimal point into the Min field and the largest number allowed into the Max field; the Max field defaults to largest number that fits. This option does not imply that data is required.
Embedded Spaces
Check this to accept characters separated by spaces. Leading and trailing blank spaces are unaffected by this option.
Ensure Computational
Check this to enable users to enter numeric data only.
Input Format
Type a format for a date or a time, depending on what type of field you are defining.
Input Length
Type the length of shortest valid entry into the Min field; default is zero. Type length of longest valid entry in the Max field; default is zero. These specifications do not imply that data is required.
Input Required
Check this to indicate that input is required for the field.
Input Mask
Double-click each input specification on the list to add its corresponding code to the Input Mask field. The Input Mask field can contain multiple codes. Required mask characters do not require data entry; they require that data entered be of that specific type. For example, the A mask character requires an alphabetic character in that position if any data is entered.
Justification
Select the alignment of the data in the field. The default is Left justification.
Left Input Digits
Type the smallest number of digits required before the decimal point into the Min field and the largest number allowed into the Max field; the Max field defaults to the largest number that fits. This option does not imply that data is required.
Message
Click this to display specify error messages and attributes that display if the field or control fails input edits.
PM Indicator
Type the PM time indicator, such as p.m. or pm.
Punctuation
Specify whether field requires, allows, or disallows the end user to enter punctuation characters such as commas, colons, and dashes. Default is Allowed. The generated code does not use punctuation.
Refresh System Date on Input
Click this to always insert the system date during input editing, regardless of the field contents.
Refresh System Time on Input
Select to always insert the system time during input editing, regardless of the field contents.
Strip Characters
Check this to remove special characters when converting the data to the storage format. A special character is any character other than input mask characters.
Use Characteristics
Click this to specify one or more of the format specifications that follow.
Use input mask
Click this to create an input mask.
Use System Date on Input
Check this to insert the system date during input editing only if the field is blank.
Use System Time on Input
Check this to insert the system time during input editing only if the field is blank.
Zero When Blank
Check this to move zero to the internal picture if no data is entered.