Entering content frame

DECODE(x,y(i),...,z) Locate the document in its SAP Library structure

DECODE(x,y(i),...,z) is a special function that decodes expressions in accordance with their values.

x

check_expression

Expression (expression) for which a comparison is to be carried out with the values in y(i)

y(i)

search_and_result_spec

<search_and_result_spec> ::= <search_expression>, <result_expression> (y(i)=u(i),v(i), i=1,...)

Combination of the comparison value u(i) and the value v(i) that is to replace this comparison value

z

default_expression

Optional default value (LONG value is permissible)

u(i)

search_expression

Comparison value that is to be replaced by v(i) if it matches x

v(i)

result_expression

Value that is to replace the value u(i), if necessary (LONG value is permissible)

The data types of x and u(i) must be comparable. The data types of v(i) and z must be comparable. The data types of u(i) and v(i) do not have to be comparable.

DECODE compares the values of x with the values u(i) consecutively. If a match is found, the result of DECODE is the value v(i) in the combination y(i)=u(i),v(i).

A match is exists if x and u(i) are NULL values. The comparison of the special NULL value with any other value never results in a match.

If a match is not found, DECODE supplies the result of z. If z is not specified, the NULL value is the result of DECODE.

Example

SELECT hno, price, DECODE (type,
'single', 1, 'double', 2, 'suite', 3) room_code
  FROM room
    WHERE hno IN (40,50,60)

The room type identifiers are to be replaced in the output by an identifier declared in the DECODE function.

HNO

PRICE

ROOM_CODE

40

140

2

40

85

1

50

180

2

50

105

1

50

500

3

60

200

2

60

120

1

60

500

3

 

 

Leaving content frame