Computed Expressions

Elements of Computed Expressions

You can use any of the following elements in constructing a computed expression:

• A field name within the current file (e.g., RELIGION). The field name can be partially spelled (e.g., REL), if the partial spelling is unambiguous.
  
  
• A field number, preceded with # (e.g., #3).
  
  
• A literal number. When used as part of a computed expression, do not use quotes (e.g., AGE AT ONSET+20). However, you must use quotes if the number will stand alone as a constant (e.g., "3.14159265").
  
  
• A literal text string, in quotes (e.g., "HELLO").
  
  
• A validly formatted date, such as 20 JULY 1969, which is punctuated only by spaces.

  NOTE: Dashes in a computed expression are interpreted as minus signs. For example, 7-20-1969 would indicate subtraction and be evaluated as -1982.

  
  
  
• The word NUMBER (or the name of the file followed by the word NUMBER, such as, PATIENT NUMBER). NUMBER will return the internal entry number of the entry in the file or subfile in question.
  
  
• The name of a file followed by the name of a field in that file (e.g., PATIENT NAME). Like PATIENT NUMBER, this syntax is helpful when it is unclear to which file or subfile an expression is referring. However, this syntax cannot obtain data from another file; NAME and PATIENT NAME will return the same data. To obtain data from another file, the extended pointer syntax must be used.
  
  
• A VA FileMan function -- e.g., [TODAY or MONTH(DATE OF BIRTH)]. Functions are discussed in the "VA FileMan Functions" chapter.
  
  
• An extended pointer reference to fields in another file. Extended pointers and relational jumping are described in the "Relational Navigation" chapter.

Reviewed/Updated: March 4, 2007