Thomas > X12 defines the data type for each element and I don't seem to locate > the definition for the data Type. Where can I find the actual > definition/meaning of the type definition, e.g. R, ID, AN, N0. I would > think they associate with real number, alphanumeric, numeric with 0 > decimal etc......but I would still like to get some clarification as to > what they are.
Sorry for the formatting... This link to the v5 draft (http://www.x12.org/x12org/subcommittees/dev/pdf/V5_x123.pdf) is on our links page (http://www.spe-edi.com/links.html) 4.4 Data Element Type The data element type is indicated by a code, as follows: numeric (Nn), decimal (R), identifier (ID), string (AN), date (DT), time (TM), binary (B) or fixed- length string (FS). Below is a brief explanation of the Data Element Types. Please see X12.6 for a full explanation of each data element type. 4.4.1 Numeric Type (Nn) A numeric is represented by one or more digits with an optional leading sign representing a value in the normal base of 10. A value of a numeric data element includes an implied decimal point. It is used when the position of the decimal point within the data is permanently fixed and is not to be transmitted with the data. The data element dictionary defines the number of implied decimal positions. The representation for this data element type is Nn where "N" indicates that it is numeric, and "n" indicates the number of decimal positions to the right of the implied decimal point. If n is 0, it need not appear in the specification; N is equivalent to N0. For negative values, the leading minus sign (-) is used. Absence of a sign indicates a positive value. The plus sign (+) should not be transmitted. Leading zeros should be suppressed unless necessary to satisfy a minimum length requirement. The length of a numeric type data element does not include the optional sign. 4.4.2 Decimal Type (R) A decimal data element contains an explicit decimal point and is used for numeric values that have a varying number of decimal positions. The decimal point always appears in the character stream if the decimal point is at any place other than the right end. If the value is an integer (decimal point at the right end), the decimal point should be omitted. For negative values, the leading minus sign (-) is used. Absence of a sign indicates a positive value. The plus sign (+) should not be transmitted. Leading zeros should be suppressed unless necessary to satisfy a minimum length requirement. Trailing zeros following the decimal point should be suppressed unless necessary to indicate precision. The use of triad separators (for example, the commas in "1,000,000") is expressly prohibited. The length of a decimal type data element does not include the optional leading sign or decimal point. 4.4.3 Identifier Type (ID) An identifier data element always contains a value from a predefined list of values (codes) that is maintained by the ASC X12 Committee or some other body recognized by the X12 Committee. For the latter, see Appendix A, Code Sources. Trailing spaces should be suppressed unless necessary to satisfy minimum length. The intent of this type of data element is to allow the use of computer tables to validate data element values. Where mutually defined codes such as "ZZ" are allowed in accordance with this standard, the interchange partners shall agree on the meaning of this code prior to the interchange. Mutually defined codes are intended only for temporary use pending the assignment of a specific code value by the ASC X12 Committee. 4.4.4 String Type (AN) A string data element is a sequence of any characters from the basic or extended character sets. The significant characters shall be left justified and shall be space filled. Leading spaces, when they occur, are presumed to be significant characters. Trailing spaces should be suppressed unless they are necessary to satisfy minimum length. 4.4.5 Date Type (DT) A Date data element is used to express the ISO standard date in the YYMMDD format in which YY is the year in the century (00-99), MM is the month (01-12), and DD is the day in the month (01-31) 4.4.6 Time Type (TM) A time data element is used to express the ISO standard time in HHMMSSd..d format in which HH is the hour for a 24-hour clock (00-23), MM is the minute (00-59), SS is the second (00-59) and d..d is decimal seconds. NOTE: The current Time data element length specification permits only HHMM. 4.4.7 Binary (B) The binary data element is any sequence of octets ranging in value from binary 00000000 to binary 11111111. This data element type has no defined maximum length. Actual length is specified by the immediately preceding data element. The binary data element type may only exist in the Binary segment. 4.4.8 Fixed-Length String (FS) A fixed-length string is a sequence of any characters from the basic or extended character sets. This data element type shall be space filled to satisfy minimum length. Furthermore, it is required that min/max values for any data element of this type be equal and that a data element of this type be mandatory in any segment in which it is used. Significant data shall be left justified (leading spaces are significant, trailing spaces are normally not significant). Earl Wertheimer [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.spe-edi.com ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> See what's inside the new Yahoo! Groups email. http://us.click.yahoo.com/0It09A/bOaOAA/yQLSAA/OIFolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> ... 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