Add "asStr" as a Formula Language Function

[tgb417]

User Story:

As a data analyst who frequently works with strings that look like numbers for example 00 or 08404, it would be useful to have a formula function like asBool() or asDate() that would keep auto typing from happening and enter these values in a column as a string not a number.

Conditions of Satisfaction:

• Clear documentation on the new feature.
• Does not break existing formulas (or breaks as few as possible.)

Notes:

• This might be called something like asStr() or update strval() to work on calculated value or constant values not just column references as it appears to work now.

[Turribeach]

I am curious where do you see this issue. Where do you type these strings that look like numbers and they are auto-corrected? In an editable dataset if the column is string then it doesn't do any auto correction.

[Turribeach]

I am curious where do you see this issue. Where do you type these strings that look like numbers and they are auto-corrected? In an editable dataset if the column is string then it doesn't do any auto correction.

[tgb417]

But when Dataiku sees something that looks like a number it will often change the value to a number column.  Even though I want to keep it as a string.  I'm specifically referring to the Formula step in visual recipes.  And example might be when you want to break a US Zip +4 into the  Zip and the Plus 4.  The leading zeros have meaning.

[tgb417]

But when Dataiku sees something that looks like a number it will often change the value to a number column.  Even though I want to keep it as a string.  I'm specifically referring to the Formula step in visual recipes.  And example might be when you want to break a US Zip +4 into the  Zip and the Plus 4.  The leading zeros have meaning.

[tgb417]

My current work around for this is to use the Format() command.  It works but is not very intuitive to find this when you run into this challange.

[tgb417]

My current work around for this is to use the Format() command.  It works but is not very intuitive to find this when you run into this challange.