code: public boolean read(DataInputStream daIn, boolean bFixedLength) // Fixed length = false
      {
          try   {
              short sData = daIn.readShort();
              Short shData = null;
              if (sData != NAN)
                  shData = new Short(sData);
              int errorCode = this.setData(shData, DBConstants.DONT_DISPLAY, DBConstants.READ_MOVE);
              return (errorCode == DBConstants.NORMAL_RETURN);    // Success
          } catch (IOException ex)    {
              ex.printStackTrace();
              return false;
          }
      }
docs: Read the physical data from a stream file and set this field.
  @param daIn Input stream to read this field's data from.
  @param bFixedLength If false (default) be sure to save the length in the stream.
  @return boolean Success?