Example 1

    Define missing value for dates:

    DEFINE FIELD  STANDARD_DATE
            DESCRIPTION /* Universal date field */
            DATATYPE IS DATE
            MISSING_VALUE IS "17-NOV-1858 00:00:00.00"
            EDIT_STRING FOR DATATRIEVE IS 'DD-MMM-YYYY'.

    This definition defines a missing value for date fields to be the
    same as the base date and time for OpenVMS.

    Example 2

    Define missing values for numeric fields:

    DEFINE FIELD  SALARY
            DATATYPE IS SIGNED LONGWORD SCALE -2
            MISSING_VALUE IS 0.00
            EDIT_STRING FOR DATATRIEVE IS '$$$$,$$9.99'.

    This statement specifies "0.00" as the missing value for SALARY
    fields.

    Example 3

    Define missing values for text fields:

    DEFINE FIELD  ADDRESS_DATA
            DATATYPE IS TEXT SIZE 20
            MISSING_VALUE IS "Not available".

    When you retrieve a field whose value is missing, Oracle Rdb
    displays the string "Not available".