36.6. pgtypes Library
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## 36.6. pgtypes Library

The pgtypes library maps PostgreSQL database types to C equivalents that can be used in C programs. It also offers functions to do basic calculations with those types within C, i.e., without the help of the PostgreSQL server. See the following example:

    EXEC SQL BEGIN DECLARE SECTION;
       date date1;
       timestamp ts1, tsout;
       interval iv1;
       char *out;
    EXEC SQL END DECLARE SECTION;

    PGTYPESdate_today(&date1);
    EXEC SQL SELECT started, duration INTO :ts1, :iv1 FROM datetbl WHERE d=:date1;
    PGTYPEStimestamp_add_interval(&ts1, &iv1, &tsout);
    out = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(&tsout);
    printf("Started + duration: %s\n", out);
    PGTYPESchar_free(out);

### 36.6.1. Character Strings

Some functions such as `PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc` return a pointer to a freshly allocated character string. These results should be freed with `PGTYPESchar_free` instead of `free`. (This is important only on Windows, where memory allocation and release sometimes need to be done by the same library.)

### 36.6.2. The numeric Type

The numeric type offers to do calculations with arbitrary precision. See Section 8.1 for the equivalent type in the PostgreSQL server. Because of the arbitrary precision this variable needs to be able to expand and shrink dynamically. That's why you can only create numeric variables on the heap, by means of the `PGTYPESnumeric_new` and `PGTYPESnumeric_free` functions. The decimal type, which is similar but limited in precision, can be created on the stack as well as on the heap.

The following functions can be used to work with the numeric type:

`PGTYPESnumeric_new`

  Request a pointer to a newly allocated numeric variable.

      numeric *PGTYPESnumeric_new(void);

`PGTYPESnumeric_free`

  Free a numeric type, release all of its memory.

      void PGTYPESnumeric_free(numeric *var);

`PGTYPESnumeric_from_asc`

  Parse a numeric type from its string notation.

      numeric *PGTYPESnumeric_from_asc(char *str, char **endptr);

  Valid formats are for example: `-2`, `.794`, `+3.44`, `592.49E07` or `-32.84e-4`. If the value could be parsed successfully, a valid pointer is returned, else the NULL pointer. At the moment ECPG always parses the complete string and so it currently does not support to store the address of the first invalid character in `*endptr`. You can safely set `endptr` to NULL.

`PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc`

  Returns a pointer to a string allocated by `malloc` that contains the string representation of the numeric type `num`.

      char *PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(numeric *num, int dscale);

  The numeric value will be printed with `dscale` decimal digits, with rounding applied if necessary. The result must be freed with `PGTYPESchar_free()`.

`PGTYPESnumeric_add`

  Add two numeric variables into a third one.

      int PGTYPESnumeric_add(numeric *var1, numeric *var2, numeric *result);

  The function adds the variables `var1` and `var2` into the result variable `result`. The function returns 0 on success and -1 in case of error.

`PGTYPESnumeric_sub`

  Subtract two numeric variables and return the result in a third one.

      int PGTYPESnumeric_sub(numeric *var1, numeric *var2, numeric *result);

  The function subtracts the variable `var2` from the variable `var1`. The result of the operation is stored in the variable `result`. The function returns 0 on success and -1 in case of error.

`PGTYPESnumeric_mul`

  Multiply two numeric variables and return the result in a third one.

      int PGTYPESnumeric_mul(numeric *var1, numeric *var2, numeric *result);

  The function multiplies the variables `var1` and `var2`. The result of the operation is stored in the variable `result`. The function returns 0 on success and -1 in case of error.

`PGTYPESnumeric_div`

  Divide two numeric variables and return the result in a third one.

      int PGTYPESnumeric_div(numeric *var1, numeric *var2, numeric *result);

  The function divides the variables `var1` by `var2`. The result of the operation is stored in the variable `result`. The function returns 0 on success and -1 in case of error.

`PGTYPESnumeric_cmp`

  Compare two numeric variables.

      int PGTYPESnumeric_cmp(numeric *var1, numeric *var2)

  This function compares two numeric variables. In case of error, `INT_MAX` is returned. On success, the function returns one of three possible results:

  - 1, if `var1` is bigger than `var2`

  - -1, if `var1` is smaller than `var2`

  - 0, if `var1` and `var2` are equal

`PGTYPESnumeric_from_int`

  Convert an int variable to a numeric variable.

      int PGTYPESnumeric_from_int(signed int int_val, numeric *var);

  This function accepts a variable of type signed int and stores it in the numeric variable `var`. Upon success, 0 is returned and -1 in case of a failure.

`PGTYPESnumeric_from_long`

  Convert a long int variable to a numeric variable.

      int PGTYPESnumeric_from_long(signed long int long_val, numeric *var);

  This function accepts a variable of type signed long int and stores it in the numeric variable `var`. Upon success, 0 is returned and -1 in case of a failure.

`PGTYPESnumeric_copy`

  Copy over one numeric variable into another one.

      int PGTYPESnumeric_copy(numeric *src, numeric *dst);

  This function copies over the value of the variable that `src` points to into the variable that `dst` points to. It returns 0 on success and -1 if an error occurs.

`PGTYPESnumeric_from_double`

  Convert a variable of type double to a numeric.

      int  PGTYPESnumeric_from_double(double d, numeric *dst);

  This function accepts a variable of type double and stores the result in the variable that `dst` points to. It returns 0 on success and -1 if an error occurs.

`PGTYPESnumeric_to_double`

  Convert a variable of type numeric to double.

      int PGTYPESnumeric_to_double(numeric *nv, double *dp)

  The function converts the numeric value from the variable that `nv` points to into the double variable that `dp` points to. It returns 0 on success and -1 if an error occurs, including overflow. On overflow, the global variable `errno` will be set to `PGTYPES_NUM_OVERFLOW` additionally.

`PGTYPESnumeric_to_int`

  Convert a variable of type numeric to int.

      int PGTYPESnumeric_to_int(numeric *nv, int *ip);

  The function converts the numeric value from the variable that `nv` points to into the integer variable that `ip` points to. It returns 0 on success and -1 if an error occurs, including overflow. On overflow, the global variable `errno` will be set to `PGTYPES_NUM_OVERFLOW` additionally.

`PGTYPESnumeric_to_long`

  Convert a variable of type numeric to long.

      int PGTYPESnumeric_to_long(numeric *nv, long *lp);

  The function converts the numeric value from the variable that `nv` points to into the long integer variable that `lp` points to. It returns 0 on success and -1 if an error occurs, including overflow. On overflow, the global variable `errno` will be set to `PGTYPES_NUM_OVERFLOW` additionally.

`PGTYPESnumeric_to_decimal`

  Convert a variable of type numeric to decimal.

      int PGTYPESnumeric_to_decimal(numeric *src, decimal *dst);

  The function converts the numeric value from the variable that `src` points to into the decimal variable that `dst` points to. It returns 0 on success and -1 if an error occurs, including overflow. On overflow, the global variable `errno` will be set to `PGTYPES_NUM_OVERFLOW` additionally.

`PGTYPESnumeric_from_decimal`

  Convert a variable of type decimal to numeric.

      int PGTYPESnumeric_from_decimal(decimal *src, numeric *dst);

  The function converts the decimal value from the variable that `src` points to into the numeric variable that `dst` points to. It returns 0 on success and -1 if an error occurs. Since the decimal type is implemented as a limited version of the numeric type, overflow cannot occur with this conversion.

### 36.6.3. The date Type

The date type in C enables your programs to deal with data of the SQL type date. See Section 8.5 for the equivalent type in the PostgreSQL server.

The following functions can be used to work with the date type:

`PGTYPESdate_from_timestamp`

  Extract the date part from a timestamp.

      date PGTYPESdate_from_timestamp(timestamp dt);

  The function receives a timestamp as its only argument and returns the extracted date part from this timestamp.

`PGTYPESdate_from_asc`

  Parse a date from its textual representation.

      date PGTYPESdate_from_asc(char *str, char **endptr);

  The function receives a C char* string `str` and a pointer to a C char* string `endptr`. At the moment ECPG always parses the complete string and so it currently does not support to store the address of the first invalid character in `*endptr`. You can safely set `endptr` to NULL.

  Note that the function always assumes MDY-formatted dates and there is currently no variable to change that within ECPG.

  Table 36.2 shows the allowed input formats.

  Table 36.2. Valid Input Formats for `PGTYPESdate_from_asc`

  Input | Result
  --- | ---
  `January 8, 1999` | `January 8, 1999`
  `1999-01-08` | `January 8, 1999`
  `1/8/1999` | `January 8, 1999`
  `1/18/1999` | `January 18, 1999`
  `01/02/03` | `February 1, 2003`
  `1999-Jan-08` | `January 8, 1999`
  `Jan-08-1999` | `January 8, 1999`
  `08-Jan-1999` | `January 8, 1999`
  `99-Jan-08` | `January 8, 1999`
  `08-Jan-99` | `January 8, 1999`
  `08-Jan-06` | `January 8, 2006`
  `Jan-08-99` | `January 8, 1999`
  `19990108` | `ISO 8601; January 8, 1999`
  `990108` | `ISO 8601; January 8, 1999`
  `1999.008` | `year and day of year`
  `J2451187` | `Julian day`
  `January 8, 99 BC` | `year 99 before the Common Era`

`PGTYPESdate_to_asc`

  Return the textual representation of a date variable.

      char *PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date dDate);

  The function receives the date `dDate` as its only parameter. It will output the date in the form `1999-01-18`, i.e., in the `YYYY-MM-DD` format. The result must be freed with `PGTYPESchar_free()`.

`PGTYPESdate_julmdy`

  Extract the values for the day, the month and the year from a variable of type date.

      void PGTYPESdate_julmdy(date d, int *mdy);

  The function receives the date `d` and a pointer to an array of 3 integer values `mdy`. The variable name indicates the sequential order: `mdy[0]` will be set to contain the number of the month, `mdy[1]` will be set to the value of the day and `mdy[2]` will contain the year.

`PGTYPESdate_mdyjul`

  Create a date value from an array of 3 integers that specify the day, the month and the year of the date.

      void PGTYPESdate_mdyjul(int *mdy, date *jdate);

  The function receives the array of the 3 integers (`mdy`) as its first argument and as its second argument a pointer to a variable of type date that should hold the result of the operation.

`PGTYPESdate_dayofweek`

  Return a number representing the day of the week for a date value.

      int PGTYPESdate_dayofweek(date d);

  The function receives the date variable `d` as its only argument and returns an integer that indicates the day of the week for this date.

  - 0 - Sunday

  - 1 - Monday

  - 2 - Tuesday

  - 3 - Wednesday

  - 4 - Thursday

  - 5 - Friday

  - 6 - Saturday

`PGTYPESdate_today`

  Get the current date.

      void PGTYPESdate_today(date *d);

  The function receives a pointer to a date variable (`d`) that it sets to the current date.

`PGTYPESdate_fmt_asc`

  Convert a variable of type date to its textual representation using a format mask.

      int PGTYPESdate_fmt_asc(date dDate, char *fmtstring, char *outbuf);

  The function receives the date to convert (`dDate`), the format mask (`fmtstring`) and the string that will hold the textual representation of the date (`outbuf`).

  On success, 0 is returned and a negative value if an error occurred.

  The following literals are the field specifiers you can use:

  - `dd` - The number of the day of the month.

  - `mm` - The number of the month of the year.

  - `yy` - The number of the year as a two digit number.

  - `yyyy` - The number of the year as a four digit number.

  - `ddd` - The name of the day (abbreviated).

  - `mmm` - The name of the month (abbreviated).

  All other characters are copied 1:1 to the output string.

  Table 36.3 indicates a few possible formats. This will give you an idea of how to use this function. All output lines are based on the same date: November 23, 1959.

  Table 36.3. Valid Input Formats for `PGTYPESdate_fmt_asc`

  Format | Result
  --- | ---
  `mmddyy` | `112359`
  `ddmmyy` | `231159`
  `yymmdd` | `591123`
  `yy/mm/dd` | `59/11/23`
  `yy mm dd` | `59 11 23`
  `yy.mm.dd` | `59.11.23`
  `.mm.yyyy.dd.` | `.11.1959.23.`
  `mmm. dd, yyyy` | `Nov. 23, 1959`
  `mmm dd yyyy` | `Nov 23 1959`
  `yyyy dd mm` | `1959 23 11`
  `ddd, mmm. dd, yyyy` | `Mon, Nov. 23, 1959`
  `(ddd) mmm. dd, yyyy` | `(Mon) Nov. 23, 1959`

`PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc`

  Use a format mask to convert a C `char*` string to a value of type date.

      int PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(date *d, char *fmt, char *str);

  The function receives a pointer to the date value that should hold the result of the operation (`d`), the format mask to use for parsing the date (`fmt`) and the C char* string containing the textual representation of the date (`str`). The textual representation is expected to match the format mask. However you do not need to have a 1:1 mapping of the string to the format mask. The function only analyzes the sequential order and looks for the literals `yy` or `yyyy` that indicate the position of the year, `mm` to indicate the position of the month and `dd` to indicate the position of the day.

  Table 36.4 indicates a few possible formats. This will give you an idea of how to use this function.

  Table 36.4. Valid Input Formats for `rdefmtdate`

  Format | String | Result
  --- | --- | ---
  `ddmmyy` | `21-2-54` | `1954-02-21`
  `ddmmyy` | `2-12-54` | `1954-12-02`
  `ddmmyy` | `20111954` | `1954-11-20`
  `ddmmyy` | `130464` | `1964-04-13`
  `mmm.dd.yyyy` | `MAR-12-1967` | `1967-03-12`
  `yy/mm/dd` | `1954, February 3rd` | `1954-02-03`
  `mmm.dd.yyyy` | `041269` | `1969-04-12`
  `yy/mm/dd` | `In the year 2525, in the month of July, mankind will be alive on the 28th day` | `2525-07-28`
  `dd-mm-yy` | `I said on the 28th of July in the year 2525` | `2525-07-28`
  `mmm.dd.yyyy` | `9/14/58` | `1958-09-14`
  `yy/mm/dd` | `47/03/29` | `1947-03-29`
  `mmm.dd.yyyy` | `oct 28 1975` | `1975-10-28`
  `mmddyy` | `Nov 14th, 1985` | `1985-11-14`

### 36.6.4. The timestamp Type

The timestamp type in C enables your programs to deal with data of the SQL type timestamp. See Section 8.5 for the equivalent type in the PostgreSQL server.

The following functions can be used to work with the timestamp type:

`PGTYPEStimestamp_from_asc`

  Parse a timestamp from its textual representation into a timestamp variable.

      timestamp PGTYPEStimestamp_from_asc(char *str, char **endptr);

  The function receives the string to parse (`str`) and a pointer to a C char* (`endptr`). At the moment ECPG always parses the complete string and so it currently does not support to store the address of the first invalid character in `*endptr`. You can safely set `endptr` to NULL.

  The function returns the parsed timestamp on success. On error, `PGTYPESInvalidTimestamp` is returned and `errno` is set to `PGTYPES_TS_BAD_TIMESTAMP`. See `PGTYPESInvalidTimestamp` for important notes on this value.

  In general, the input string can contain any combination of an allowed date specification, a whitespace character and an allowed time specification. Note that time zones are not supported by ECPG. It can parse them but does not apply any calculation as the PostgreSQL server does for example. Timezone specifiers are silently discarded.

  Table 36.5 contains a few examples for input strings.

  Table 36.5. Valid Input Formats for `PGTYPEStimestamp_from_asc`

  Input | Result
  --- | ---
  `1999-01-08 04:05:06` | `1999-01-08 04:05:06`
  `January 8 04:05:06 1999 PST` | `1999-01-08 04:05:06`
  `1999-Jan-08 04:05:06.789-8` | `1999-01-08 04:05:06.789 (time zone specifier ignored)`
  `J2451187 04:05-08:00` | `1999-01-08 04:05:00 (time zone specifier ignored)`

`PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc`

  Converts a date to a C char* string.

      char *PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(timestamp tstamp);

  The function receives the timestamp `tstamp` as its only argument and returns an allocated string that contains the textual representation of the timestamp. The result must be freed with `PGTYPESchar_free()`.

`PGTYPEStimestamp_current`

  Retrieve the current timestamp.

      void PGTYPEStimestamp_current(timestamp *ts);

  The function retrieves the current timestamp and saves it into the timestamp variable that `ts` points to.

`PGTYPEStimestamp_fmt_asc`

  Convert a timestamp variable to a C char* using a format mask.

      int PGTYPEStimestamp_fmt_asc(timestamp *ts, char *output, int str_len, char *fmtstr);

  The function receives a pointer to the timestamp to convert as its first argument (`ts`), a pointer to the output buffer (`output`), the maximal length that has been allocated for the output buffer (`str_len`) and the format mask to use for the conversion (`fmtstr`).

  Upon success, the function returns 0 and a negative value if an error occurred.

  You can use the following format specifiers for the format mask. The format specifiers are the same ones that are used in the `strftime` function in libc. Any non-format specifier will be copied into the output buffer.

  - `%A` - is replaced by national representation of the full weekday name.

  - `%a` - is replaced by national representation of the abbreviated weekday name.

  - `%B` - is replaced by national representation of the full month name.

  - `%b` - is replaced by national representation of the abbreviated month name.

  - `%C` - is replaced by (year / 100) as decimal number; single digits are preceded by a zero.

  - `%c` - is replaced by national representation of time and date.

  - `%D` - is equivalent to `%m/%d/%y`.

  - `%d` - is replaced by the day of the month as a decimal number (01–31).

  - `%E*` `%O*` - POSIX locale extensions. The sequences `%Ec` `%EC` `%Ex` `%EX` `%Ey` `%EY` `%Od` `%Oe` `%OH` `%OI` `%Om` `%OM` `%OS` `%Ou` `%OU` `%OV` `%Ow` `%OW` `%Oy` are supposed to provide alternative representations.

    Additionally `%OB` implemented to represent alternative months names (used standalone, without day mentioned).

  - `%e` - is replaced by the day of month as a decimal number (1–31); single digits are preceded by a blank.

  - `%F` - is equivalent to `%Y-%m-%d`.

  - `%G` - is replaced by a year as a decimal number with century. This year is the one that contains the greater part of the week (Monday as the first day of the week).

  - `%g` - is replaced by the same year as in `%G`, but as a decimal number without century (00–99).

  - `%H` - is replaced by the hour (24-hour clock) as a decimal number (00–23).

  - `%h` - the same as `%b`.

  - `%I` - is replaced by the hour (12-hour clock) as a decimal number (01–12).

  - `%j` - is replaced by the day of the year as a decimal number (001–366).

  - `%k` - is replaced by the hour (24-hour clock) as a decimal number (0–23); single digits are preceded by a blank.

  - `%l` - is replaced by the hour (12-hour clock) as a decimal number (1–12); single digits are preceded by a blank.

  - `%M` - is replaced by the minute as a decimal number (00–59).

  - `%m` - is replaced by the month as a decimal number (01–12).

  - `%n` - is replaced by a newline.

  - `%O*` - the same as `%E*`.

  - `%p` - is replaced by national representation of either “ante meridiem” or “post meridiem” as appropriate.

  - `%R` - is equivalent to `%H:%M`.

  - `%r` - is equivalent to `%I:%M:%S %p`.

  - `%S` - is replaced by the second as a decimal number (00–60).

  - `%s` - is replaced by the number of seconds since the Epoch, UTC.

  - `%T` - is equivalent to `%H:%M:%S`

  - `%t` - is replaced by a tab.

  - `%U` - is replaced by the week number of the year (Sunday as the first day of the week) as a decimal number (00–53).

  - `%u` - is replaced by the weekday (Monday as the first day of the week) as a decimal number (1–7).

  - `%V` - is replaced by the week number of the year (Monday as the first day of the week) as a decimal number (01–53). If the week containing January 1 has four or more days in the new year, then it is week 1; otherwise it is the last week of the previous year, and the next week is week 1.

  - `%v` - is equivalent to `%e-%b-%Y`.

  - `%W` - is replaced by the week number of the year (Monday as the first day of the week) as a decimal number (00–53).

  - `%w` - is replaced by the weekday (Sunday as the first day of the week) as a decimal number (0–6).

  - `%X` - is replaced by national representation of the time.

  - `%x` - is replaced by national representation of the date.

  - `%Y` - is replaced by the year with century as a decimal number.

  - `%y` - is replaced by the year without century as a decimal number (00–99).

  - `%Z` - is replaced by the time zone name.

  - `%z` - is replaced by the time zone offset from UTC; a leading plus sign stands for east of UTC, a minus sign for west of UTC, hours and minutes follow with two digits each and no delimiter between them (common form for RFC 822 date headers).

  - `%+` - is replaced by national representation of the date and time.

  - `%-*` - GNU libc extension. Do not do any padding when performing numerical outputs.

  - $_* - GNU libc extension. Explicitly specify space for padding.

  - `%0*` - GNU libc extension. Explicitly specify zero for padding.

  - `%%` - is replaced by `%`.

`PGTYPEStimestamp_sub`

  Subtract one timestamp from another one and save the result in a variable of type interval.

      int PGTYPEStimestamp_sub(timestamp *ts1, timestamp *ts2, interval *iv);

  The function will subtract the timestamp variable that `ts2` points to from the timestamp variable that `ts1` points to and will store the result in the interval variable that `iv` points to.

  Upon success, the function returns 0 and a negative value if an error occurred.

`PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc`

  Parse a timestamp value from its textual representation using a formatting mask.

      int PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(char *str, char *fmt, timestamp *d);

  The function receives the textual representation of a timestamp in the variable `str` as well as the formatting mask to use in the variable `fmt`. The result will be stored in the variable that `d` points to.

  If the formatting mask `fmt` is NULL, the function will fall back to the default formatting mask which is `%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S`.

  This is the reverse function to `PGTYPEStimestamp_fmt_asc`. See the documentation there in order to find out about the possible formatting mask entries.

`PGTYPEStimestamp_add_interval`

  Add an interval variable to a timestamp variable.

      int PGTYPEStimestamp_add_interval(timestamp *tin, interval *span, timestamp *tout);

  The function receives a pointer to a timestamp variable `tin` and a pointer to an interval variable `span`. It adds the interval to the timestamp and saves the resulting timestamp in the variable that `tout` points to.

  Upon success, the function returns 0 and a negative value if an error occurred.

`PGTYPEStimestamp_sub_interval`

  Subtract an interval variable from a timestamp variable.

      int PGTYPEStimestamp_sub_interval(timestamp *tin, interval *span, timestamp *tout);

  The function subtracts the interval variable that `span` points to from the timestamp variable that `tin` points to and saves the result into the variable that `tout` points to.

  Upon success, the function returns 0 and a negative value if an error occurred.

### 36.6.5. The interval Type

The interval type in C enables your programs to deal with data of the SQL type interval. See Section 8.5 for the equivalent type in the PostgreSQL server.

The following functions can be used to work with the interval type:

`PGTYPESinterval_new`

  Return a pointer to a newly allocated interval variable.

      interval *PGTYPESinterval_new(void);

`PGTYPESinterval_free`

  Release the memory of a previously allocated interval variable.

      void PGTYPESinterval_free(interval *intvl);

`PGTYPESinterval_from_asc`

  Parse an interval from its textual representation.

      interval *PGTYPESinterval_from_asc(char *str, char **endptr);

  The function parses the input string `str` and returns a pointer to an allocated interval variable. At the moment ECPG always parses the complete string and so it currently does not support to store the address of the first invalid character in `*endptr`. You can safely set `endptr` to NULL.

`PGTYPESinterval_to_asc`

  Convert a variable of type interval to its textual representation.

      char *PGTYPESinterval_to_asc(interval *span);

  The function converts the interval variable that `span` points to into a C char*. The output looks like this example: `@ 1 day 12 hours 59 mins 10 secs`. The result must be freed with `PGTYPESchar_free()`.

`PGTYPESinterval_copy`

  Copy a variable of type interval.

      int PGTYPESinterval_copy(interval *intvlsrc, interval *intvldest);

  The function copies the interval variable that `intvlsrc` points to into the variable that `intvldest` points to. Note that you need to allocate the memory for the destination variable before.

### 36.6.6. The decimal Type

The decimal type is similar to the numeric type. However it is limited to a maximum precision of 30 significant digits. In contrast to the numeric type which can be created on the heap only, the decimal type can be created either on the stack or on the heap (by means of the functions `PGTYPESdecimal_new` and `PGTYPESdecimal_free`). There are a lot of other functions that deal with the decimal type in the Informix compatibility mode described in Section 36.15.

The following functions can be used to work with the decimal type and are not only contained in the `libcompat` library.

`PGTYPESdecimal_new`

  Request a pointer to a newly allocated decimal variable.

      decimal *PGTYPESdecimal_new(void);

`PGTYPESdecimal_free`

  Free a decimal type, release all of its memory.

      void PGTYPESdecimal_free(decimal *var);

### 36.6.7. errno Values of pgtypeslib

`PGTYPES_NUM_BAD_NUMERIC`

  An argument should contain a numeric variable (or point to a numeric variable) but in fact its in-memory representation was invalid.

`PGTYPES_NUM_OVERFLOW`

  An overflow occurred. Since the numeric type can deal with almost arbitrary precision, converting a numeric variable into other types might cause overflow.

`PGTYPES_NUM_UNDERFLOW`

  An underflow occurred. Since the numeric type can deal with almost arbitrary precision, converting a numeric variable into other types might cause underflow.

`PGTYPES_NUM_DIVIDE_ZERO`

  A division by zero has been attempted.

`PGTYPES_DATE_BAD_DATE`

  An invalid date string was passed to the `PGTYPESdate_from_asc` function.

`PGTYPES_DATE_ERR_EARGS`

  Invalid arguments were passed to the `PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc` function.

`PGTYPES_DATE_ERR_ENOSHORTDATE`

  An invalid token in the input string was found by the `PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc` function.

`PGTYPES_INTVL_BAD_INTERVAL`

  An invalid interval string was passed to the `PGTYPESinterval_from_asc` function, or an invalid interval value was passed to the `PGTYPESinterval_to_asc` function.

`PGTYPES_DATE_ERR_ENOTDMY`

  There was a mismatch in the day/month/year assignment in the `PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc` function.

`PGTYPES_DATE_BAD_DAY`

  An invalid day of the month value was found by the `PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc` function.

`PGTYPES_DATE_BAD_MONTH`

  An invalid month value was found by the `PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc` function.

`PGTYPES_TS_BAD_TIMESTAMP`

  An invalid timestamp string pass passed to the `PGTYPEStimestamp_from_asc` function, or an invalid timestamp value was passed to the `PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc` function.

`PGTYPES_TS_ERR_EINFTIME`

  An infinite timestamp value was encountered in a context that cannot handle it.

### 36.6.8. Special Constants of pgtypeslib

`PGTYPESInvalidTimestamp`

  A value of type timestamp representing an invalid time stamp. This is returned by the function `PGTYPEStimestamp_from_asc` on parse error. Note that due to the internal representation of the `timestamp` data type, `PGTYPESInvalidTimestamp` is also a valid timestamp at the same time. It is set to `1899-12-31 23:59:59`. In order to detect errors, make sure that your application does not only test for `PGTYPESInvalidTimestamp` but also for `errno != 0` after each call to `PGTYPEStimestamp_from_asc`.

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