Format

      CHANGE  FIELD  field-name

              [ DESCRIPTION IS /*text*/ ]
              [ NODESCRIPTION           ]  [ AUDIT IS /*text*/ ]
              [                         ]

              [ field-property   ]
              [ NOfield-property ] ... .
              [                  ]

1  –  Parameters

1.1  –  field-name

    Specifies the field element you are modifying.

1.2  –  text

    Modifies information. Within the DESCRIPTION clause, this is
    information documenting the field; within the AUDIT clause, it
    is a history list entry. Valid delimiters are /* */ or double
    quotation marks (" ").

    You can use Japanese to document comments in the DESCRIPTION or
    AUDIT clause for a field. To do this, use the SET CHARACTER_SET
    command, and set the character_set of the session to DEC_KANJI.

1.3  –  field-property

    Changes the value of an existing property, or adds a new
    property, in the field element. You specify removal with the
    NO keyword. See fld-properties for the field properties CDO
    provides.

2  –  Description

    The CHANGE FIELD command modifies a field element by performing
    a change in place. CDO changes the values you specify, and other
    values remain the same.

    If a field element is controlled, CDO freezes previous versions
    and allows you to modify only the highest visible version. If a
    field element is uncontrolled, CDO modifies the highest version
    unless you specify another version number.

    If a field element is controlled, you must reserve the field
    before you can issue the CHANGE FIELD command. The SHOW FIELD
    or SHOW RESERVATIONS command indicates whether this condition
    exists.

    When you change a field element that an Oracle Rdb database uses,
    you may need to integrate the database with the repository. CDO
    automatically sends a notice with the name of the database when
    this is necessary.

3  –  Examples

    1.CDO>  CHANGE FIELD POSTAL_CODE
      cont>    DESCRIPTION "A 5 DIGIT POSTAL_CODE: NOTE AUDIT"
      cont>    AUDIT "CHANGED TO 9 DIGIT POSTAL_CODE 6/30/90".

      In this example, the CHANGE FIELD command modifies the
      description clause and adds an audit clause to the POSTAL_
      CODE field element.

    2.CDO>  CHANGE FIELD TOTAL
      cont>    NOINITIAL_VALUE.

      In this example, the CHANGE FIELD command removes the INITIAL_
      VALUE field property with the NO keyword.