Creating Variables Manually

Every time you create a Column (in a Table Definition) or Parameter (in a Program, Report Set, or Workflow definition or directly in a Parameter Set definition ) you have the option to manually create a Variable or to select an existing Variable as the definition source of the Column or Parameter.

Note:

To promote consistency and compatibility, use existing Variables as often as possible. See Defining and Using Parameter Sets for more information.

When you click Create LSH Variable in either the Create Parameter or Create Column screen, additional fields appear.

1. Enter values in the following fields:

   • Name. See Naming Objects.

   • Description. See Creating and Using Object Descriptions.

   • Data Type. Variables can have a data type of VARCHAR2, NUMBER, or DATE.

   • Length. The maximum number of bytes or characters of data that the Column can hold. The requirements vary according to the data type:

     • VARCHAR2. A value for length is required and must be between 1 and 4000 characters.

     • DATE. The system disregards the length value, if any.

     • NUMBER. A value for length is optional.You can leave the length and precision null, and LSH treats the number column as having the maximum possible length.

   • Precision. (This field appears only if you select a data type of NUMBER.) The total number of digits allowed, not including the decimal marker or a positive (+) or negative (-) sign. Its maximum value is 38.

     Note:

     Oracle LSH terminology differs from standard Oracle terminology, in which this attribute is called Scale.

   • Oracle Name (up to 30 characters, uppercase, no spaces). Enter text or accept the default value. The system automatically creates the default from the text you entered in the Name field, converting it to uppercase, with underscores (_) substituted for spaces, truncated to 30 characters if necessary.

   • SAS Name. The SAS Name is used during execution by SAS technologies. The SAS Name can contain up to 32 characters.

     If the value entered for the Name is 32 characters or less, the system uses it as the default value for the SAS Name.

   • SAS Label. Enter text or accept the default value. The system automatically creates the default from the text you entered in the Name field, converting it to uppercase, with underscores (_) substituted for spaces.

   • SAS Format. The SAS Format is used during execution by SAS technologies. SAS rules apply.

   • Default Value. This value becomes the default value of Columns and Parameters based on this Variable. The default is null.

   • Nullable. If set to Yes, Columns based on this Variable can contain a null value and Parameters based on this Variable are not Required. If set to No, by default Columns based on this Variable must contain a value in each row and Parameters based on this Variable must have a value at execution time. The default value is Yes.

     You can change the Nullable value for Columns and the Required value for Parameters based on this Variable.

2. In the Classification section, select the following for both the definition and the instance:

   • Subtype. Select a subtype according to your company's policies.

   • Classification Values. See Classifying Objects and Outputs for instructions.

3. Click Apply to save your work and continue defining the Parameter or Column.