How to script changing column data type to Numeric when the rows are a mix of string and numbers

Question

I have a data column where some rows are string and some rows are numbers.  When I manually convert the Data Type from Character to Numeric, the strings disappear leaving only the text rows.  This is the exact result I would like to replicate via JSL.  However when I run a script that performs the same functions it does not change the Data Type for the column.

Attached is a screen recording showing both the script not acting on the column and the manual process of changing the Data Type with desired result.

Changing Column Data Type.mp4

txnelson · Accepted Answer

Your JSL syntax is incorrect.  It should be:

dt=current data table();
dt:example << data type(numeric)<<format("Best", 12) <<
modeling type(continuous);