Mapping values

Question

Hi,
I'm using reports6i.
I have data like this
SQL> select btm_job_type,btm_description,btm_crt_type,btm_catg
  2  from booking_type_master;
BTM_JOB_TYPE    BTM_DESCRIPTION BTM BTM
CONSOL          FCL Imports     I   S
CONSOL          FCL Exports     E   S
CONSOL          LCL Imports     I   S
CONSOL          LCL Exports     E   SBased on this data i'm preparing a report, here 'I' and 'E' for column btm_crt_type indicates 'Imports' and 'Exports'
and 'S' in btm_catg indicates 'Sales'.
So in report i have to display the full string instead of 'I', 'E' or 'S'.
What i'm presently doing is,in reports query i've written case statements for these cases.
But since there are lot more columns like this which have short forms, but needs to diaplay full form
My manager told me to map those values instead of writing case for each columns.
But i've no idea how to do that
If anybody has done something similar to this, please help me do
Thanks

Answer 1

Hello,
My manager told me to map those values instead of writing case for each columns.First i want to know what is the meaning of MAP according to your manager and from where to map?
The best practice says you must create lookup for these types of fields. Mean a setup table where you will insert all these short codes with their description. So, while making report you can just join that table in your query and the description will be dynamic from the table. So, in future if there will be any new status of flag then no need to open the report and change the query or formula column.
And if you don't have the setup/lookup table for these shortcuts then you will have to use the CASE/DECODE in your query as you did.
-Ammad