Does anyone know a function that counts how many characters are in a field? So for example I have a field name called indexfield that contains the value '2013q1'. I want a function that would return 6 in this case. Any advice is appreciated.

Thank you
RK

This message has been edited. Last edited by: <Kathryn Henning>,

Ryan, did you try searching in the documentation?

Using Functions > Character Functions > ARGLEN: Measuring the Length of a String

http://infocenter.ibi.com/wf80...tocView.jsp?view=toc

In V8, there are simplified functions.

You could also look into CHAR_LENGTH(source_string)

Tried using ARGLEN couldn't really figure it out. I would really appreciate if someone provided an example of how the function works and how to use it based on the information I previously provided. Thank you in advance

Did you try the example in the documentation ?

TABLE FILE EMPLOYEE
PRINT LAST_NAME AND COMPUTE
NAME_LEN/I3 = ARGLEN(15, LAST_NAME, NAME_LEN);
WHERE DEPARTMENT EQ 'MIS';
END

Here is another example using your "indexfield" value:

TABLE FILE CAR
SUM CAR NOPRINT
COMPUTE INDEXFIELD/A10 = '2013q1';
COMPUTE INDEXFIELD_LEN/I3 = ARGLEN(15, INDEXFIELD, INDEXFIELD_LEN);
END

Thank you for all your help. Worked out perfectly. I used this with an edit function to measure the length of a string and pull out characters similar to how you would use left, len, and right in excel.

Waz,

As far as I can tell, CHAR_LENGTH is a SQL function. If there are new WebFOCUS functions, I'd love to read about them.

Cheers,

If you're after a function that will give you the right "n" most characters, then check out this post from 2007.

T

Francis,

Here is a link to the simplified string functions.

Simplified Character Functions

Waz, what is the path to the entry point of the Masterindex? It seems different than http://infocenter.ibi.com/wf81rel/index.jsp that I have been using to research syntax questions.

The documentation hyperlinks aren't very good.

This is the URL Waz provided:

http://documentation.informati...n/source/topic64.htm

I thought this URL would get me to the "master index":

http://documentation.informati...x/html/html_wf_8104/ - this renders a 403 error

http://documentation.informati...om/masterindex/html/ - so does this

http://documentation.informati...ers.com/masterindex/ - so does this

http://documentation.informationbuilders.com navigates to https://techsupport.informatio...blic/tc-library.html

Clicking on the "8.0.x" link opens a new window with this URL: http://infocenter.ibi.com/wf80/index.jsp

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Francis Mariani,

Next.

Some of the functions that are described in the documentation Waz so kindly provided appear to be NOT available in v8.0.08, v8.0.09 and v8.0.10. I assume they make their appearance in v8.1.04. It's nice that they are optimized for SQL.

Searching for "CHAR_LENGTH" points you to

WebFOCUS Release 8.0 Versions 10 and 09 > DataMigrator Functions > SQL Character Functions.

I suppose those of us unfortunates that are not on v8.1.04 or newer can give these new functions a try - perhaps they work but are hidden from us.

Thanks Waz!

Should you be thankful that you are not ion the bleeding edge ?

I have to admit that the LOWER, UPPER and TOKEN function get used all the time. I don't have to go and check the structure of the function each time.

Don't forget that you can use SQL.function, certainly against MS SQL or Oracle.

I use SQL.SUBSTR for MS SQL a lot, for, as Waz suggests, the parameters are easier to recall than the WebFOCUS SUBSTR function ... Until you can use the newer SUBSTRING function.

If the function that you want isn't supported? Then try creating your own using DEFNE FUNCTION. Just make sure that you trap the SQL to be sure that it is parsed OK into SQL and that it is efficient.

T

We are going to 8.1.0.3. So I can use some and not others probably. I just wanted to see more topics than what he posted. I also found I could vary the level in the URL and get an answer for the section he posted. http://documentation.informati...n/source/topic64.htm

So I was trying to find the Welcome page for what he posted? Got anything Waz?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kevin W,