Constant Value

Type

Concept

Purpose

A constant value is a value that does not change while a procedure is being processed (in contrast to a variable, a value that can change during processing).

Constant values are used in selection criteria comparisons, math formulas, proper names, and other text and numeric expressions.

Usage

In a script, a constant value can be used wherever its value type is allowed. The value types of constants are the same as the basic field value types: text, number, numeric string, date, time, and dollar.

The format for typing constant values is as follows:

• Enclose Text constants in double quotes ("TEXT").

• Use slashes in Date constants (01/01/2001).

• Use colons in Time constants (09:30:00).

• Do not type formatting characters in numeric strings.

• Do not type commas in Number constants.

Example

for MEMBERS with LAST NAME = " SPENCER "

and ZIP CODE > 90000 ;

In this query statement, both the last name SPENCER and the zip code 90000 are constant values.