Evaluating Expressions
You can process changes in either Data or Expression mode. In Data mode, all editing is committed as entered. In Expression mode, all editing is evaluated before it is committed.
Use the edit window toolbar buttons to switch modes.
- Data Mode interprets your edited values as data (default).
- Expression Mode interprets your edited values as expressions.
For example:
| Mode | Specify | Column | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data | 4*5 | CHAR(20) | 4*5 |
| 4*5 | NUMBER(4,2) | Error | |
| SYSDATE | DATE | Error | |
| Expression | 4*5 | CHAR(20) | 20 |
| 4*5 | N(4,2) | 20 | |
| SYSDATE | DATE | Actual system date |
Note: You cannot evaluate a column name used in an expression;
however, all other expression syntax is supported.
You can evaluate expressions in a single cell or in an entire row and choose whether or not to commit the change. It is helpful to evaluate expressions and display possible results before committing the changes to the database. The Evaluate commands are available only for rows in Pending status.
- Right-click a row and select Edit Cell, Evaluate from the shortcut menu to calculate the value of the expression you specify and replace the original value with the calculated value.
- Right-click a row and select Pending, Evaluate Expression from the shortcut menu to evaluate any expressions you specify (or system generated values) in an entire row and display the results. The results do not replace the original values, unless you commit the row.