Character strings on the database can be translated to integers for numerical array and scalar fields.

Specify the character string to numeric mapping here: shows a translation table. The items listed under Character String are the possible character values in the data field on the database. Values in the Number column are the integers that

• correspond to the codes for the character strings in ProAdmin coded fields or

• indicate the value of the scalar field.

Sort… button permits ordering the list and when clicked will displays the following three options:

Alphabetize string which orders the list alphabetically by character string,

Sort by numeric value which orders the list numerically by number

Custom Sort… shows the Custom Sort dialog box: Changing the number in the Order column and pressing “enter” will change the order of the list based on the number entered. You can also change Character Strings and the integers in the Number column as well. Clicking the OK button will save your changes; Cancel will return to the previous page without saving any changes.

Click OK to save your changes or Cancel to ignore any changes.

Example 1: Suppose the database contains a field of several characters and possibly numbers that indicate the gender of the member. M, 1, male, MALE, and m for male and 2, F, f, female and FEMALE for female. Sex is a numeric coded field in ProAdmin with two values. Suppose the values are 0 for males and 1 for females.

The Character to numeric translation would be:

	M	0
	F	1
	1	0
	2	1
	MALE	0
	FEMALE	1
	male	0
	female	1

 

Example2: Suppose the database has employee status codes with their effective dates and suppose our data field in ProAdmin, Events, is defined as a numerical effective dated array. The status codes on the client data have the flowing meanings:

ACT means the member is in active employment beginning on the effective date.

DIS means the member is disabled beginning on the effective date.

Both TERM and TRM mean the member has terminated employment on the effective date.

DEATH means the member is deceased on the effective date.

RET means the member is in active receipt of pension benefits beginning on the effective date.

 

In the data dictionary Events was defined as having the following coded fields:

	Date of Hire or Rehire	1
	Date Terminated	50
	Disability Date	51
	Retirement Date	60
	Death	99

 

Our Character to numeric translation would be:

	ACT	1
	TERM	50
	TRM	50
	DIS	51
	RET	60
	DEATH	99