Redefining predefined field attributes and accessing user-defined fields
Use the FIELD command to specify user-defined fields that you have already defined in the USRPROPS.TXT file. Each of the predefined fields in the database have default characteristics for length, typeface, and column width instructions used to format printed field content. The FIELD command enables you to override the defaults of a predefined field or identify the fields in your project that are defined by you (user-defined fields) and set the characteristics for them when they are to be extracted for a report.
The FIELD command is valid in the global or local definition block of the Report Definition file. If you place the command in the global report block, it affects every report in the Report Definition file. If you place the command in the local report block, it affects only that report.
To create a correct FIELD command statement (including subcommands and subcommand-identifiers) follow these rules:
1 Use a { (BEGIN) command before the first subcommand used in each FIELD statement.
2 Use an } (END) command after the last subcommand-identifier to end the entire FIELD statement.
3 User-defined fields must be defined in a FIELD statement before they can be used to extract report information through the use of a SELECT, WHERE, or ORDERBY command.
4 The subcommands DECIMALS, SOURCE, and TYPE are valid only when used with a user-defined field.
5 The FIELD command is valid in the global or local definition blocks of the Report Definition file. If you place the command in the global report block, it affects every report in the Report Definition file. If you place the command in the local report block, it affects only that report.
