inputs to get_ functions are required as strings when passed as a sql statement This function converts numeric inputs to character strings
createStringYear(itemName, chosenItem, convertToCharacter, numChars)Character string. Variable name as it exists in the data base
User input value of variable listed in itemName
Boolean. Should we convert the chosenItem to a character string (This depends on how the variable is declared in the database)
Numeric scalar. Number of characters to format the numeric chosenItem as.
A charachter string
if (FALSE) {
createString(itemName="area",area=503,convertToCharacter=TRUE,numChars=3)
createString(itemName="species_itis",species,convertToCharacter=TRUE,numChars=6)
}