What are attributes and Table type?

[skwon9642]

Attached is a table definition screen where I make new records in a existing table. I am asked: Attribute, Length, Table type and description.

I guess the Attribute would be the data type of whatever data I plan on putting inside this record? also, what is table type? Is this a as400 default screen or custom?
when I fill in the fields from this menu, a new record gets created in the ZCC table.
The fields I need to fill in are CCTABL, CCCODE, CCDESC, CCSDSC, CCNOT1, CCNOT2 which are a mix of chars and graphics.
I need to be able to convert CCSDSC, CCNOT1, CCNOT2 into integers (which I think I am doing correctly) but it is not getting converted...as seen in the SS below.
when I create the record, I have an option of numeric, or alphanumeric. I chose alphanumeric. could that be a reason why it isn't getting converted?

DCL-DS ControlTable extname('ZCC') qualified
END-DS;                                     

Exec SQL                                      
    SELECT * Into :ControlTable FROM ZCC WHERE
    CCTABL = 'TIMCONTB' and CCCODE = :WrkRank;

ModChar =      %CHAR(ControlTable.CCSDSC);
ResultChar =   %CHAR(ControlTable.CCNOT1);
SRunChar =     %CHAR(ControlTable.CCNOT2);

ZccMod =       %DEC(ModChar:1:0);         //errors out here during debug
ZccResult =    %DEC(ResultChar:1:0);      
ZccSingleRun = %DEC(SRunChar:1:0)



Message ID . . . . . . :   RNX0105 
 Message . . . . :   A character representation of a numeric value is in error. 
 Cause . . . . . :   A conversion from character to numeric found data that was 
   not valid.                                                                   
 Recovery  . . . :   Correct the numeric data.