Hi Satya: An I-descriptor is the same as an I-type (or a V-type).
It's like a little program in the DICT (dictionary) of a file. It can do very complex things, but quite often is used for very simple things, but those simple things can be quite helpful. Here is an example- In the DICT of the INMATE file there are D-types for last name, first name, and middle name, which are LNAME, FNAME, and MNAME. Now, one can see a listing of inmate names by typing: LIST INMATE LNAME FNAME MNAME and get this: INMATE NAME................ FIRST NAME.... MIDDLE NAME 86144 JOHNSON PHILLIP 779501 THOMAS ERNEST ROBERT 192814 SMITH THOMAS DEAN 204251 TOONSDALE PAUL JAMES However, this takes up a lot of space for each name with the three names combining for 45 characters. To save space, let's create an I-type to put the last, first, and middle names together as one field: ED DICT INMATE FULLNAME This is a Type "I" Descriptor last compiled on 02/08/12 at 15:38. 0001: I 0002: LNAME:', ':FNAME:' ':MNAME 0003: 0004: FULL NAME 0005: 25L 0006: S You see in field 2 is that the three parts of the name are concatenated together, with a comma after the last name. This makes the display much shorter and works well for most anyone's name: INMATE FULL NAME............... 86144 JOHNSON, PHILLIP 779501 THOMAS, ERNEST ROBERT 192814 SMITH, THOMAS DEAN 204251 TOONSDALE, PAUL JAMES The field now is only 25 characters in display width, but only a few person's names will exceed 25 characters and need to wrap to the next line, so that saves a lot of space. The I-type was very simple to create and understand. Oh yes, after creating the I-type field in the DICT, one needs to compile it with: COMPILE.DICT INMATE FULLNAME As I said, it's actually a little program. These little programs - the I-types - are one of the real strengths of the multivalue development environment. Harold Oaks Clark County, WA -----Original Message----- From: u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org [mailto:u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org] On Behalf Of satya satya Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 9:10 AM To: U2 Users List Subject: [U2] Regarding: use of I - Descriptor Hi, Could any one of you explain What is I - Descriptor and What is the use of it. Thank you, Satya _______________________________________________ U2-Users mailing list U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users This e-mail and related attachments and any response may be subject to public disclosure under state law. _______________________________________________ U2-Users mailing list U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users
