Column Validation File (.val)

The .val database schema file holds functional and display attributes of database table columns.

Description

The .val file holds default attributes and validation rules for database columns.

Important: The form field attribute definition in the .val file is supported for backward compatibility. Do not use this feature in new developments.

In form files, the attributes are taken from the .val file as defaults if the corresponding attribute is not explicitly specified in the field definition of the ATTRIBUTES section. The attributes in the .val file can be considered as a default configuration for a form field.

In programs, you can validate variable values in accordance with the INCLUDE attribute by using the VALIDATE instruction.

The .val file can be generated by fgldbsch from the IBM^® Informix^® specific syscolval table, or can be edited by an external column attributes editor.

This table describes the structure of the .val file:

Table 1. Structure of the .val file
Pos	Type	Description
1	STRING	Database table name.
2	STRING	Column name.
3	STRING	Column property name.
4	STRING	Column property value.

The supported attribute definitions are:

Table 2. Supported attribute definitions of the .val file
Attribute Name	Description
AUTONEXT	Defines the `AUTONEXT` attribute. When this attribute is defined, value is `YES`.
CENTURY	Defines the `CENTURY` attribute. The value must be one of: `R`, `C`, `F`, or `P`.
COLOR	Defines the `COLOR` attribute. The value is a color identifier (RED, GREEN, BLUE, ...)
COMMENTS	Defines the `COMMENTS` attribute. The value is a quoted string or Localized String (`%"xxx"`).
DEFAULT	Defines the `DEFAULT` attribute. Number, quoted string or identifier (`TODAY`).
FORMAT	Defines the `FORMAT` attribute. The value is a quoted string.
INCLUDE	Defines an include list as the `INCLUDE` attribute. Value must be a list: `(value [,...])`, where `value` can be a number, quoted string or identifier (`TODAY`).
INVISIBLE	Defines the `INVISIBLE` attribute. When this attribute is defined, value is `YES`.
JUSTIFY	Defines the `JUSTIFY` attribute. The value must be one of: `LEFT`, `CENTER` or `RIGHT`.
PICTURE	Defines the `PICTURE` attribute. The value is a quoted string.
SHIFT	Corresponds to the `UPSHIFT` and `DOWNSHIFT` attributes. Values can be `UP` or `DOWN`.
VERIFY	Defines the `VERIFY` attribute. When this attribute is defined, value is `YES`.

Example

customer^customer_name^SHIFT^UP^
customer^customer_name^COMMENTS^"Name of the customer"^
order^order_date^DEFAULT^TODAY^
order^order_date^COMMENTS^"Creation date of the order"^