When the data form is displayed, the current value of the data variable is converted to string form and displayed in the data field. During field processing, the system calls the conversion function that is appropriate for the defined field type. The conversion function converts the value of the data variable to its string representation. The system data-to-string conversion functions are all named with the prefix "dc_fr" and are listed in Table 9.1. If you would like details on how the system is performing data conversion for a particular field type, see the description of the appropriate data conversion function in the Function Reference. Note that the conversion function expects the data variable pointed to for the field to be the proper type; if it is not, you will probably get a message from the compiler.
When converting the data variable for display, protected characters are written in the appropriate places in the field. If you are initializing data variables for fields that contain protected characters, you need to allow space for the protected characters. (This is a field option that you can change.)
You can control data conversion and display by setting a number of data field options.
Fields that have no underlying data variable are processed differently. See Chapter 7, "Standard Data Field Types."
