Referring to Fields Using Long and Qualified Field Names

How to:

Reference:

Field names and aliases have a maximum length of 66 characters, including up to two qualifiers and qualification characters. The names you assign to temporary fields may also be up to 66 characters. However, text fields and indexed field names in Master Files are limited to 12 characters, although the aliases for text and indexed fields may be up to 66 characters. Field names are always displayed as column titles in reports, unless a TITLE attribute or an AS phrase is used to provide an alternative name. For related information, see Using Headings, Footings, Titles, and Labels.

You may use the file name, segment name, or both as a qualifier for a specified field.


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Syntax: How to Activate Long and Qualified Field Names

The SET FIELDNAME command enables you to activate long (up to 66 characters) and qualified field names.

SET FIELDNAME = fieldname

where:

fieldname

Specifies the activation status of long and qualified field names. Valid identifiers include:

NEW specifies that 66-character and qualified field names are supported. The maximum length is 66 characters. NEW is the default value.

NOTRUNC supports the 66-character maximum. It does not permit unique truncations of field names.

OLD specifies that 66-character and qualified field names are not supported. The maximum length is 12 characters. The limit may be different for some types of non-FOCUS data sources.



Example: Using a Qualified Field Name to Refer to a Field
EMPLOYEE.EMPINFO.EMP_ID

Is the fully-qualified name of the field EMP_ID in the EMPINFO segment of the EMPLOYEE file. The maximum of 66 characters includes the name of the field or alias, plus an eight-character maximum for field qualifiers (Master File name and segment name) and two delimiting characters (periods).


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Reference: Usage Notes for Long and Qualified Field Names

? SET displays the current value of FIELDNAME. In addition, a Dialogue Manager variable called &FOCFIELDNAME is available. &FOCFIELDNAME may have a value of NEW, OLD, or NOTRUNC.

When the value of FIELDNAME is changed within a session, JOIN, and DEFINE commands are affected as follows:

All other changes to the FIELDNAME value have no effect on JOIN and DEFINE commands.

For additional information about using qualified field names in report requests, see the Describing Data With WebFOCUS Language manual.


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