Converting numbers to alphanumeric strings using a Built-In function

Date:	Archived
Product/Release:	LANSA - All Platforms
Abstract:	Sometimes negative numbers do not convert successfully to alphanumeric strings. There is a Builtin function available that will solve this.
Submitted By:	LANSA Technical Support

The SUBSTRING command can be used to convert numbers to alphanumeric strings. If the numeric value is negative, however, problems may be encountered. The minus sign (-) will not be converted by the SUBSTRING command.

There is a builtin function available in LANSA that solves this problem. The function, called NUMERIC_STRING, ensures that the minus sign is also used in the conversion.

Here is an example :

USE BUILTIN(NUMERIC_STRING) WITH ARGS(#SALARY) TO_GET(#SALCHAR)