The EDIT STRING clause specifies the output format of a column value. SQL uses the EDIT STRING clause as the default format when writing a column value to a file or output device. To specify the format of a column value, use a string of one or more edit characters. Specify the edit string characters in single quotation marks without embedded spaces. In general, each edit character corresponds to 1 character position in the displayed output. For example, 999999 specifies that the output is 6 digits in 6 character positions. To enter more of the same edit characters, shorten the edit string by placing a repeat count in parentheses following the edit character. For example, the edit string 9(6) is equal to 999999. You can change the character that SQL and DATATRIEVE display for the currency symbol ($), decimal point (.), and digit separator (,) edit string characters. To make your output conform to other conventions for numeric and monetary notation, override the system defaults for these symbols by redefining the following logical names: o SYS$CURRENCY: Specifies the character SQL substitutes for the dollar sign ($) edit string character. The default is a dollar sign. o SYS$RADIX_POINT: Specifies the character SQL substitutes for the decimal point (.) edit string character. The default is a decimal point. o SYS$DIGIT_SEP: Specifies the character SQL substitutes for the comma (,) edit string character. The default is a comma.