CDEC$
Syntax |
CDEC$ (value,length,ndp) |
Location |
Toolkit II, THOR XVI |
The function CDEC$ allows you to convert a given value into a string in a specified format. This function will always take the integer part of the given value (which must be in the range -2^31…2^31, and will be rounded to the nearest integer if it is a floating point) and then assumes that the last ndp digits are to the right of the decimal point.
If there are enough characters to the left of the decimal point, a comma (‘,’) will be placed between each set of three characters. The length is the length of the string which is to be returned, which must always be greater than or equal to the length of the value plus each comma and the decimal point. If length is not large enough, then the string returned will be full of asterisks (’*’).
This function is particularly useful for formatting columns of figures, especially in view of the fact that it sidesteps the QL’s habit of converting large numbers to exponential form. The commas ensure that it is ideal for use in formatting output of currencies.
Examples
PRINT CDEC$(123,4,0)
will print ‘ 123’
PRINT CDEC$(123,4,1)
will print ‘12.3’
PRINT CDEC$(1234567,9,2)
will print ‘12,345.67’
CROSS-REFERENCE
PRINT_USING is a general means of formatting output.