TYPE() Returns "N" for Double, Float, and Integer (130350)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows 3.0
This article was previously published under Q130350

SUMMARY

In Visual FoxPro for Windows, a field may be given the TYPE B for Double, and F for Float, but the TYPE() function always returns "N" (Numeric) for Double, Float, and Integer data types.

MORE INFORMATION

Sample Code

The following code demonstrates this: 
   ***TYPETEST.PRG***
   CLEAR
   CREATE CURSOR SYS(2015) (bField B(6),fField F(16,8),yField Y)
   INSERT INTO (ALIAS()) VALUES (111.111, 222.222, 333.333)
   ? "The types are: Created Double="+TYPE("bField")+", Created Float=";
   + TYPE("fField")+", Created Currency="+ TYPE("yField")
Here is the result:

"The types are: Created Double=N, Created Float=N, Created Currency=Y"

Why Numeric Is Always Returned

The Float type is included for compatibility only. It is functionally equivalent to Numeric. The Double type is relevant only in a table, denoting how the field data is stored to disk.

All Float types are stored internally as Doubles, converted to ASCII when written to disk, and then converted back when read. This can result in a loss of accuracy, so a Double type field is stored as an 8-byte binary value to avoid inaccuracies.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:2/11/2000
Keywords:kbcode KB130350
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.