> While the application *can* get N by querying the charset system table,
> it is a rather complicated task and also not very intuitive that it is

IMO, it's worse: it's stupid.

Why should a client application have to query system defined metadata
from the database in order to properly use the API and get data from it?!

> required. If, on the other hand, N is passed in XSQLVAR.sqlscale, and
> this fact is documented where the rest of XSQLVAR is documented, the
> application programmer will at least be made aware that something has to
> be done with the returned buffer, and it will be rather intuitive to
> learn *what* has to be done.

With regards,

Martijn Tonies
Upscene Productions
http://www.upscene.com

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