SQL Functions

$COLUMN_LENGTH | $COL_LEN

The $COL_LEN and $COLUMN_LENGTH functions return the defined length of a column. The return datatype is a 4-byte INTEGER. Both functions are identical.

These functions differ from the CHAR_LENGTH and CHARACTER_LENGTH functions:

• $COL_LEN and $COLUMN_LENGTH return the length defined for the column in the Omnidex Environment Catalog.
• CHAR_LENGTH and CHARACTER_LENGTH return the actual length of the data contained in the column for that record.
  

Syntax

$COL_LEN(column) | $COLUMN_LENGTH(column)

$COL_LEN | $COLUMN_LENGTH

Required. Both return the same results.

(column)

Required. An unambiguous column name.

• If this function is used in a SQL SELECT, INSERT, or UPDATE statement, then the column parameter must be from one of the tables referenced in the statement.
• If this function is used in a COLUMN statement within an environment file, then column must be the column being declared.

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Example

select company,

$col_len(company),

char_length(company)
from customers
where company='national computer'

Company: National Computer Systems
$COLUMN_LEN: 40
CHARACTER_L: 25

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