IBM SC41-5210-04 manual Defining result fields in Query for iSeries

Chapter 5. Defining result fields in Query for iSeries

This chapter describes how you define result fields. They need to be defined in your query if the information that you want to present in your report does not exist as a field in your selected file(s). For example, you want your report to show the number of days, but your database file only has a field containing the number of weeks. You can define a result field that contains the number of days by creating an expression that performs a calculation on the number of weeks.

After you have defined a result field, you can use it like any other field that exists in your selected file(s). You can include the result field in your output, you can use it to define another result field, you can use it as a sort field, and so on.

While you are defining result fields, a list in the lower part of the display assists you by showing the names of fields in the files selected for your query. If you want to see additional information about each field such as descriptive text, length, and decimal positions, use F11 (Display text) to switch between the multiple-column list and the single-column list. This information is very useful when you are deciding on a result field name and when you are building your expressions. The page keys will present all the fields available, four at a time. For more information on using F11, see “Using F11 to display additional information about Query for iSeries queries” on page 15.

In most cases, the result fields that you define appear in your query output, but selecting them for output is optional since some result fields are only needed as an intermediate step to obtain a final result. For example, you might define a result field only for the purpose of selecting records, and you do not want the result field to appear on the report.

Creating results fields in Query for iSeries

The Define Result Fields display appears if you typed a 1 next to the Define result fields option on the Define the Query display. You use the Define Result Fields display to create the result fields that you need for your query. (The following display has some sample fields listed in the bottom part.)

Define Result Fields

Type definitions using field names or constants and operators, press Enter.

Operators: +, -, *, /, SUBSTR, , DATE...

Field	Expression	Column Heading	Len Dec
__________	_________________________________	____________________	_____	__
	_________________________________	____________________
	_________________________________	____________________
__________	_________________________________	____________________	_____	__
	_________________________________	____________________
	_________________________________	____________________

Bottom

_________________________________________________________________________

Field	Field	Field	Field
ACCTNUMBER	STREETADDR	TELENUMBER	DATELASTPD
LASTNAME	CITY	CRLIMIT
INIT	STATE	BALDUE
COMPANY	ZIPCODE	PASTDUE
			Bottom
F3=Exit	F5=Report	F9=Insert	F11=Display text
F12=Cancel	F13=Layout	F20=Reorganize	F24=More keys

To define a result field, you specify a unique name for the result field by entering a name in the Field column on the Define Result Fields display. You cannot specify the name of a field that exists in your selected file(s)—the list in the lower part of the display shows you these field names. To page through the field list, position the cursor in the list part of the display and use the page keys. (A one-word indicator

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