IBM Support

InfoSphere Datastage Complex Flat File stage error 'Column Length must be from 1 To 18 for Decimal Data Type'

Troubleshooting


Problem

The Complex Flat File stage in DataStage displays an error "Column Length must be from 1 To 18" when the length of a Decimal column is increased to greater than 18.

Cause

If 'Support extended decimal' is not enabled for the DataStage project in DataStage Administrator client the maximum decimal size supported by DataStage is 18

Diagnosing The Problem

In DataStage Designer client create a new parallel job and add a Complex Flat File stage to the job canvas. Double click the stage to open the stage properties window and navigate to the Records tab. Add a column with Native type as Decimal and length greater than 18. DataStage Designer client displays an error "Column length must be from 1 to 18"

Resolving The Problem

The default maximum decimal size supported by DataStage is 18. DataStage supports extended decimal size up to 31 for jobs in the project if the 'Support extended decimal' option is enabled.

To enable the support of extended decimal size login to DataStage Administrator client and open the Properties window of the specific DataStage project for which the option is to be enabled.

In the Project properties window under the Mainframe tab select the check box "Support extended decimal". Once this option is selected the drop down to increase the Maximum decimal size is enabled and the maximum size can be increased to 31.

Note: The Mainframe tab in the project properties window is enabled only if the installed version of DataStage supports mainframe jobs.

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Document Information

Modified date:
16 June 2018

UID

swg21567638