Overriding column attributes

When using the Database Interface Designer to generate a type tree for a query, table, view, or stored procedure, you might want to specify how columns are to be interpreted, rather than relying upon the interpretation of a particular database driver.

These column overrides are saved in the .mdq file. When generating a type tree with the ODBC Adapter and enabling the Override Column Definitions check box in the Generate Type Tree from dialog for a query, table, view, or stored procedure, the Column Datatype Specification dialog appears. Any overrides you specify in these dialogs are saved when the .mdq file is saved.

The generated type tree with overrides is represented in the Navigator with an icon having black spheres.

If a tree is regenerated at a later date for the same query, table, view, or stored procedure within a database, you are prompted to confirm whether the previously defined overrides should be applied to the new tree.

The following steps and dialogs show how to define column override attributes for a table or view. However, the steps and dialogs for a stored procedure are very similar and should follow the same process.