Performing conversions

Details of the conversions that you can perform with the modify operator.

See Allowed conversions for a complete list of conversions you can effect using the modify operator.

Keeping and dropping fields
You can invoke the modify operator to keep fields in or drop fields from the output.
Renaming fields
You can invoke the modify operator to rename a field by specifying the attribution operator.
Duplicating a field and giving it a new name
You can invoke the modify operator to duplicate a field and give it a new name.
Changing the data type of a field
You can invoke the modify operator to change the data type of a field.
Default data type conversion
For a data set to be used as input to or output from an operator, its record schema must be compatible with that of the operator's interface.
Data type conversion errors
A data type conversion error occurs when a conversion cannot be performed.
How to convert a data type
You can invoke the modify operator to convert the data type of a field.
Date field conversions
InfoSphere® DataStage® performs no automatic type conversion of date fields. Either an input data set must match the operator interface or you must effect a type conversion by means of the modify operator.
date formats
Specifying the format of a date field that is passed as a parameter to a conversion.
Decimal field conversions
You can invoke the modify operator to convert to and from decimal fields.
Raw field length extraction
You can invoke the modify operator and the raw_length option to extract the length of a raw field.
String and ustring field conversions
You can invoke the modify operator to convert string and ustring fields..
String conversions and lookup tables
You can construct a string lookup table to use when default conversions do not yield satisfactory results.
Time field conversions
InfoSphere DataStage performs no automatic conversions to or from the time data type. You must invoke the modify operator if you want to convert a source or destination time field.
time Formats
Specifying the format of a time field that is passed as a parameter to a conversion.
Timestamp field conversions
By default InfoSphere DataStage converts a source timestamp field only to either a time or date destination field. However, you can invoke the modify operator to perform other conversions.
timestamp formats
Specifying the format of a timestamp field that is passed as a parameter to a conversion.
The modify operator and nulls
You can invoke the modify operator to change the representation of a null field.
The modify operator and partial schemas
You can invoke the modify operator to change certain characteristics of a data set containing a partial record schema.
The modify operator and vectors
You can invoke the modify operator to translate the name of a vector or to convert the data type of the vector elements.
The modify operator and aggregate schema components
Data set and operator interface schema components can contain aggregates (subrecords and tagged aggregates). You can apply modify adapters to aggregates.

Parent topic: Modify operator