Vlad Khorsun wrote:

> > While the application *can* get N by querying the charset system table,
>
> Why application ? It is job of data access layer\components.

With "application" I meant "everything above fbclient", so it would
include fibplus etc.

> > it is a rather complicated task
>
> Really ???

Yes:

1. It requires an extra round-trip to the server, including execution of
an additional SQL query. So for each query you have to execute another
query just to be able to read the data from the first query correctly.

2. It is not intuitive that the data returned from a query is not "self
contained" but requires me to get other info "myself" to be able to read
it correctly. Especially bad since the "problem" is very subtle and far
from obvious until you stand there confused wondering why all your
expected fixed-length data appear to be padded in a seemingly random manner.

> > and also not very intuitive that it is required.
>
> Do you consider "too complex and not very intuitive" for data access layer
> to query system tables for fileds CHECK constraints, DEFAULT values, etc ?

Most application don't query for that. They just pass data and handle
any exceptions that result. So, yes, it is very complex in comparison.

Kjell
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Kjell Rilbe
DataDIA AB
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