View source for Documentation:OCLOperators toDecimal

You use <code>toDecimal</code> in [[Documentation:Learn OCL|OCL]] expressions when you need an Integer or Float value to be treated as a Decimal, especially before using it with Decimal attributes.
== Purpose ==
<code>toDecimal</code> converts a numeric value to a Decimal value.

Use it to align the numeric types on both sides of a calculation. For example, when <code>Total</code> is a Decimal attribute, convert the numeric constant before multiplying it:

<syntaxhighlight lang="ocl">
self.Total * 0.10.ToDecimal
</syntaxhighlight>

If <code>self.Total</code> is <code>50.00</code>, this expression evaluates to <code>5.0</code>.
== Syntax ==
Call <code>toDecimal</code> on the numeric value that you want to convert:

<syntaxhighlight lang="ocl">
number.toDecimal
</syntaxhighlight>

The operator converts an Integer or Float to Decimal.

{| class="wikitable"
! Input value type
! Expression
! Result type
|-
| Integer
| <code>45.toDecimal</code>
| Decimal
|-
| Float
| <code>0.10.ToDecimal</code>
| Decimal
|}
== Use Decimal values in calculations ==
Use <code>toDecimal</code> when a calculation combines a Decimal attribute with a numeric literal or another value that is not already Decimal.

For example, this mixed-type formula can produce a type error when <code>Total</code> is Decimal:

<syntaxhighlight lang="ocl">
self.Total * 0.10
</syntaxhighlight>

Convert the constant to Decimal to align the operands:

<syntaxhighlight lang="ocl">
self.Total * 0.10.ToDecimal
</syntaxhighlight>

This is particularly relevant when an expression is evaluated dynamically with [[Documentation:OCLOperators scripteval|ScriptEval]]. The ScriptEval example uses this conversion to correct an error stating that no multiplication operator accepts the mixed parameter types.

Consider this example with an Integer attribute:
'''<big>Example Using with attributes:</big>'''
<syntaxhighlight lang="abap">
myInt : Integer = 45

</syntaxhighlight>'''OCL:'''

<syntaxhighlight lang="abap">
myInt.toDecimal

</syntaxhighlight>'''Result:'''<code>45</code> (as Decimal)
== Conversion behavior ==
* Use <code>toDecimal</code> with numbers, not with text.
* The conversion can round very long decimal values to fit Decimal limits.
* Convert values at the point where their type must match the rest of the expression. In the example above, converting <code>0.10</code> makes it compatible with a Decimal <code>Total</code>.

For conversion of text values, see [[Documentation:OCLOperators Parse|Parse]]. Date and DateTime text conversions are documented separately in [[Documentation:OCLOperators strToDate|strToDate]] and [[Documentation:OCLOperators strToDateTime|strToDateTime]].

These examples show how toDecimal handles various numeric inputs:
{| class="wikitable"
!OCL
!Result
|-
|123.ToDecimal
|123
|-
|24235235235235.234234234234234.ToDecimal
|24235235235235.2
|}
== See also ==
* [[Documentation:OCLOperators scripteval|ScriptEval]]
* [[Documentation:OCLOperators Parse|Parse]]
* [[Documentation:OCLOperators strToDate|strToDate]]
* [[Documentation:OCLOperators strToDateTime|strToDateTime]]

[[Category:Intermediate-Friendly]]
[[Category:OCL (Object Constraint Language)]]
[[Category:OCL Operators: Numeric & Arithmetic]]
[[Category:Priority 50]]