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Focal Point    Focal Point Forums  Hop To Forum Categories  WebFOCUS/FOCUS Forum on Focal Point     SOLVED: DB_EXPR VS SQL.

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SOLVED: DB_EXPR VS SQL.
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BM
Platinum Member
posted
Hi,
Trying to find a difference between SQL. vs DB_EXPR
Seems like it finctions the same way. Is one prefered over the other.

I am planning to use it with a DEFINE.

Read in the documentation that:
DB_EXPR is used in a DEFINE with a WITH phrase.

Not sure how to use it WITH?

Looking for expert advise.

Thanks

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BM,


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Posts: 167 | Location: Montreal | Registered: September 23, 2014Report This Post
Waz
Expert
posted Hide Post
Hi BM,

Check the documentation, there is an example of the use of DB_EXPR.

e.g.
DB_EXPR

As for the differences, you will need to check the SQL generated to compare, using SQL tracing

WITH is just a way to associate some info that is not in the table with a row in the table.

e.g.
Field/format WITH DBField = FUNCTION...


Waz...

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Posts: 6347 | Location: 33°49'23.0"S, 151°11'41.0"E | Registered: October 31, 2006Report This Post
dhagen
Virtuoso
posted Hide Post
The SQL. is for direct reference of a sql function, where the DB_EXPR you can enter an full expression. That being said, you can reference a sql function using the DB_EXPR.

Example (MS SQL):
PASCALESUM/I11  WITH DMHR.ID_NUM=DB_EXPR(SUM(PAYSCALE) OVER(PARTITION BY PLANT));
START_DOW/A10  WITH DMHR.ID_NUM=DB_EXPR( DATENAME( dw,  START_DATE ) );
START_MONTH/I2=SQL.MONTH( START_DATE );


The WITH is not always required with the SQL. prefix, but it doesn't hurt to add it.


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Posts: 1102 | Location: Toronto, Ontario | Registered: May 26, 2004Report This Post
Clif
Guru
posted Hide Post
Even when calling a function with SQL. it's limited. The parameters must be columns, constants or expressions.

If you want to call a function that takes a keyword then use DB_EXPR. For example the MS SQL Server function CONVERT takes a parameter of datatype such as CHAR: 
DB_EXPR(CONVERT(CHAR, "start_date", 102))


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Posts: 397 | Location: New York City | Registered: May 03, 2007Report This Post
BM
Platinum Member
posted Hide Post
Thanks all


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Posts: 167 | Location: Montreal | Registered: September 23, 2014Report This Post
Tony A
Expert
posted Hide Post
quote:
it's limited.

One of the most limiting is (or was) that only one pair of parenthesis can be used in SQL.

T


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