How to define the input field as a textarea in backend

In backend, some input fields are <input ...>, like this
Attachment 16672
some input fields are <textaera...>, like this
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How to define the format in the sql sentence?

it looks like fields that have a type of mediumtext in an sql table would need the textarea input tag; fields that have a type of varchar would get get the text input tag.

although i hardly think this is a hard fast rule.... i could be wrong.

Not sure the exact question, but if you are looking for how to cause say a configuration field to have a text area instead of an input box, then this is/can be controlled through the assignment of the set_function field of the configuration table.

To convert a specific entry to use a textarea (which really doesn't matter about the data type, though a short datatype which is perhaps best represented by a single text box will get truncated upon saving if a lot of information is stored in it as compared to a mediumtext or largetext and if a data field is set to say mediumtext, well if it has a lot of information then it won't look good in a single text box).

So for example could put the following into the Tools->Insert SQL Patches area:

Code:

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UPDATE configuration SET set_function = 'zen_cfg_textarea(' WHERE configuration_key = 'INSERT_KEY_TO_MODIFY_HERE';

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and it would update the configuration_key of INSERT_KEY_TO_MODIFY_HERE to use a textarea type field instead of whatever it currently is using. Yes, you may need to also modify the datatype of the field to obtain "better" results/performance; however, it seems that this at least in (another?) part addresses your question.

Where as if you want a standard text field, then set the set_function = NULL and it will become a single "one-line" text field...

Thanks, guys. Following mc12345678's instruction, the problem was solved.