# Data Types Open Text Team Developer data types are too different from .NET primitives and cannot be replaced automatically and safely without seriously damaging the ported application. Since Team Developer was originally built as a SQL front-end system, its data types are actually more similar to ADO.NET special Sql types defined for the SQLServer client. In fact it is quite common in .NET, when dealing with SQL functionality or when building complex features, to build also specialized data types. A specialized data type is simply a class (or struct) that implements operators and casting. In the PPJ Framework we have built a replacement for all the Team Developer types. Each type is built around native .NET types and is capable of interacting seamlessly with any .NET primitive or native type, as well as any ADO.NET connection. Nevertheless, we also port SAL types to native and primitive .NET types whenever possible and safe. For example, all constants, ActiveX/COM interfaces, and external declarations are generated using primitive and native types. ## Data Type Equivalence The new types built in the PPJ Framework behave similarly to equivalent types in Team Developer.
SAL Data TypePorted Data TypeBased on .NET type
StringSalStringSystem.String
NumberSalNumberSystem.Decimal
Date/TimeSalDateTimeSystem.DateTime
BooleanSalBooleanSystem.Decimal
Window HandleSalWindowHandleSystem.Windows.Forms.Control
File HandleSalFileHandleNA
Sql HandleSalSqlHandleNA
Sql Session HandleSalSqlSessionHandleNA
All PPJ basic types are nullable and support [INullable](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.data.sqltypes.inullable), [IComparable](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.icomparable), [IConvertible](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.iconvertible), [IFormattable](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.iformattable). --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.iceteagroup.com/general/framework/data-types.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.