Add/change datatype column (scripting)

Question

Hello,
I am writing a script to add default columns and their values to tables. So far for me it's possible to add columns to an existing table in the model.
Next I want to add the value for datatype. I found out there's a method called getDataType(). Until now, I didn't find the 'setter; for this property.
Like other scripts, I started with create a table with columns and then using the API to read the values.
A simplified version of my code:
// get columns array
var myTab = model.getTableSet().getByName("T_POSITIONS");
colArray = myTab.getElementsCollection().toArray();
// loop over columns
for(i = 0; i < colArray.length; i++){
  var dataType = colArray[i].getDataType();
  model.getAppView().log(colArray[i] + " has datatype " + dataType );
  colArray[i].setDataType("VARCHAR2 (1)");
An error occurs when I want to run this script: Cannot find function setDataType in object ID.
I cannot find the right method to add/modify the datatype property.
Any tip would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi Bart,
here is what is in XML file for column:
<Column name="FIRST_NAME" id="5E8F1EEC-287E-6496-C568-DFBF6321BD91">
<sourceConnName>FDB11R21</sourceConnName>
<sourceObjSchema>EMPLOYEES</sourceObjSchema>
<sourceObjName>FIRST_NAME</sourceObjName>
<createdBy></createdBy>
<createdTime>2015-01-13 12:45:08 UTC</createdTime>
<commentInRDBMS>First name of the employee. A not null column.</commentInRDBMS>
<ownerDesignName>HR_870</ownerDesignName>
<nullsAllowed>true</nullsAllowed>
<useDomainConstraints>false</useDomainConstraints>
<use>1</use>
<logicalDatatype>LOGDT024</logicalDatatype>
<dataTypeSize>20 BYTE</dataTypeSize>
<autoIncrementCycle>false</autoIncrementCycle>
</Column>
<dataTypeSize>20 BYTE</dataTypeSize>
So you need to set size to "20 BYTE" or "20 CHAR"
Philip