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ARRAY Data Type

To modify single dimension array data type fields, you need to conform to the following rules:

  • Specify simple types (INTEGER, etc.) as {1, 2, 3}

  • Specify string types (CHAR, etc.) as {'1', '2', '3'}

Warning
TRAPS!

If you edit an element of the array e.g. element 1, 2 and 5, and do not specify the other elements of the array, e.g. 3 and 4, then the other elements of the array will be zeroed (integer), or blank (string).

With some programs where columns are dependent on array data, it is possible to enter array data into a currently NULL array column without a validity check being made on the various array elements.Under these circumstances it is essential to enter the array elements before entering the column data.
fb odbc ModArrayField
Figure 1. Data loss when updating an ARRAY field (1)
fb odbc ruleModArrayField
Figure 2. Data loss when updating an ARRAY field (2)

Usage with Clarion

Jorge Brugger; Vernon Godwin; Vladimir Tsvigun

Clarion users can work with mixed-case object names in Firebird.

  1. Create your database in Firebird.You can use table names like "Pending_Invoices" and fields like "Order_Number".

  2. Create the DSN for the Database, making sure to check all options in “Extended Identifier Properties”

  3. Open your dictionary, and import multiple tables as normal from the odbc source.It will work, but do not try to browse or use the files in an application yet.

  4. For every field, type in the “External Name” the name of the field surrounded by quotes (for example, type "Order_Number" in the external name).

That’s it!Now use your dictionary with mixed case identifiers, without problems.But remember — you must use double quotes around object names in all SQL statements from inside Clarion.