Special Characters
There are a number of special characters that you can use in a string template. Each special character represents a set of characters from which the user can choose, to enter at the specified position.
For example, the special characters a and z represent alphabetic characters and digits, respectively. Assume that you enter a template that looks like this:
aaazz
With this template, users can make entries such as Afm35 or pRt44 but not entries such as 2acm5 or C342d. They must enter alphabetic characters in the first three places and numeric characters in the last two places.
You can use the following special characters in a string template:
a
Represents any alphabetic character.
h
Represents any hexadecimal digit.
n
Represents any digit (the default is 0).
o
Represents any printable character (only 7 bit).
p
Represents any printable character.
q
Represents any character that can be the first character in an Ingres name.
r
Represents any character that can be the second or subsequent character in an Ingres name.
s
Represents any character (only 7 bit).
t
Represents any character.
x
Represents both alphabetic and numeric characters.
z
Represents digits (the default is a space).
i
Represents a user‑defined character.
j
Represents a user‑defined character.
k
Represents a user‑defined character.
l
Represents a user‑defined character.
m
Represents a user‑defined character.
Using templates, you can enforce mandatory entry (the user must make an entry), force the case of an entry, and insert a default entry if the user fails to make an entry.
All of the special characters support
mandatory entry (see page
How to Force Mandatory Entry). To force the case of a user's entry or insert a default if the user does not make an entry, use a user‑defined special character. The pre‑defined special characters do not support forced case or default entries.