TRANSFORM()
 Convert any value into a formatted character string
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Syntax

     TRANSFORM(<exp>, <cSayPicture>) --> cFormatString

 Arguments

     <exp> is the value to be formatted.  This expression can be any
     valid CA-Clipper data type except array, code block, and NIL.

     <cSayPicture> is a string of picture and template characters that
     describes the format of the returned character string.

 Returns

     TRANSFORM() converts <exp> to a formatted character string as defined by
     <cSayPicture>.

 Description

     TRANSFORM() is a conversion function that formats character, date,
     logical, and numeric values according to a specified picture string that
     includes a combination of picture function and template strings.
     TRANSFORM() formats data for output to the screen or the printer in the
     same manner as the PICTURE clause of the @...SAY command.

     .  Function string:  A picture function string specifies
        formatting rules that apply to the TRANSFORM() return value as a
        whole, rather than to particular character positions within <exp>.
        The function string consists of the @ character, followed by one or
        more additional characters, each of which has a particular meaning
        (see table below).  If a function string is present, the @ character
        must be the leftmost character of the picture string, and the
        function string must not contain spaces.  A function string may be
        specified alone or with a template string.  If both are present, the
        function string must precede the template string, and the two must be
        separated by a single space.

        TRANSFORM() Functions
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
        Function     Action
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
        B            Displays numbers left-justified
        C            Displays CR after positive numbers
        D            Displays date in SET DATE format
        E            Displays date in British format
        R            Nontemplate characters are inserted
        X            Displays DB after negative numbers
        Z            Displays zeros as blanks
        (            Encloses negative numbers in parentheses
        !            Converts alphabetic characters to uppercase
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------

     .  Template string:  A picture template string specifies
        formatting rules on a character-by-character basis.  The template
        string consists of a series of characters, some of which have special
        meanings (see table below).  Each position in the template string
        corresponds to a position in the value of the <exp> argument.
        Because TRANSFORM() uses a template, it can insert formatting
        characters such as commas, dollar signs, and parentheses.

        Characters in the template string that have no assigned meanings are
        copied literally into the return value.  If the @R picture function
        is used, these characters are inserted between characters of the
        return value; otherwise, they overwrite the corresponding characters
        of the return value.  A template string may be specified alone or
        with a function string.  If both are present, the function string
        must precede the template string, and the two must be separated by a
        single space.

        TRANSFORM() Templates
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
        Template     Action
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
        A,N,X,9,#    Displays digits for any data type
        L            Displays logicals as "T" or "F"
        Y            Displays logicals as "Y" or "N"
        !            Converts an alphabetic character to uppercase
        $            Displays a dollar sign in place of a leading space in a
                     numeric
        *            Displays an asterisk in place of a leading space in a
                     numeric
        .            Specifies a decimal point position
        ,            Specifies a comma position
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Examples

     .  This example formats a number into a currency format using a
        template:

        ? TRANSFORM(123456, "$999,999")    // Result: $123,456

     .  This example formats a character string using a function:

        ? TRANSFORM("to upper", "@!")      // Result: TO UPPER

 Files   Library is CLIPPER.LIB.