Function Names
best typeDescription
In case the input parameter is a string, then it will be converted to the best type, depending on the contents. All non-string types (numerals, parameter sets, dates, booleans voids) will be passed through without modifications Following rules apply for strings provided as parameters
- If the contents look like number, e.g. "123.45", then a conversion to numerals takes plae.
- If the contents equals true or false, then a converion to boolean takes place.
- Followng rules apply if unabiguous dates and/or times are provided:
- "YYYY-MM-DD": Dates
- "hh:mm:ss": Times
- "YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm:ss": Dates with times
- "0000-00-00" Blank dates
- Any other characters, including spaces before or after dates, will suppress date conversion.
- If the 2nd parameter is true, then strings will be converted to parameters sets if the contents look like parameter sets, e.g. contents inside braces { ... }. The elements must be separated with commas.
- In all other cases, the string contents are passed through without changes.
Call as: function
Restrictions
Indirect parameter passing is disabled
Parameter count
1-2
Parameters
| No. | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 input |
valid types | Value Contents to be converted to best type. |
| 2 input |
boolean | Do parameter sets If 'true', then string contents looking like parameter set descriptions will be converted to parameter sets Default value: false |
Return value
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| parameter set | Result Value converted into best type |
Examples
values[] =
{ 1.2, date(today), true, { 1,2,{3,a} }, "Hello", // No conversions
"true", "True", // Only 'true' will be converted
"false", "False", // Only 'false' will be converted
"2020-04-17", "2020-04-07 22:30:00", "2020-04-07 22:30", // Time conversion if fully specified. 3rd exmaple si not converted
"{1,2,{3,A} }", // Converts to parameter set
"1.2", "1E+3", // Converts to numbers
"0000-00-00" }; // Converts to blank date
for all parameters( values[], v[] )
{
n[] = best type( v[], true ); // 2nd parameter set also asks to convert strings containing parameter sets to parameter sets.
echo("Value: ", n[], " Type: ", type(n[]) );
}Output
Value: 1.2 Type: numeral
Value: 2024-07-14 Type: date
Value: true Type: boolean
Value: {1,2,{3,'a'}} Type: parameter set
Value: Hello Type: string
Value: true Type: boolean
Value: True Type: string
Value: false Type: boolean
Value: False Type: string
Value: 2020-04-17 Type: date
Value: 2020-04-07 22:30:00 Type: date
Value: 2020-04-07 22:30 Type: string
Value: {1,2,{3,'A'}} Type: parameter set
Value: 1.2 Type: numeral
Value: 1E+3 Type: numeral
Value: Type: date