At 12:51 AM 28/10/2004 +0000, you wrote:

>Hi
>
>If I use the "external" option to import a fixed length fields text
>file, what happens to the data when it is assimilated into the
>database?
>
>I believe that the "numeric" values will be converted to suit the
>column format into which they are imported.

Yes, if they are in a valid format for the destination type. But
obviously, if the input data is a real number, it will barf if asked to
apply it to an integer type.

>Does text remain as fixed length text strings?

Yes. Trailing spaces are retained.

>If so how could the text be trimmed? (I am not very familiar with sql-
>yet!)

IMO, a good strategy with external files is to bring 'em all into an
unindexed table of CHAR fields and to write a stored procedure to massage
the data and trap exceptions (for handling or login purposes).

Study the IB6 data definition guide to get a feel for the compatibility or
otherwise of various formats. Dates will be an especial problem.

./heLen