IA - Input Assign Character

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# IA - Input Assign Character

This Natural profile and session parameter defines the character to be used as the assignment character for the input parameter processing in `INPUT` statements, either in keyword/delimiter mode or when processing data from the Natural stack.

Possible settings | any special character | Assignment character for the input parameter processing in `INPUT` statements.
Default setting | `=` | Equals sign.
Dynamic specification | yes |
Specification within session | yes |
Applicable statements | `SET GLOBALS` |
Applicable command | `GLOBALS` |
Application programming interface | `USR0350N`, `USR1005N` * | See SYSEXT - Natural Application Programming Interfaces in the Utilities documentation. * Recommended.

Notes:

1. The character specified with the `IA` parameter must not be the same as the character specified with the `DC` (decimal character) or `ID` (input delimiter character) parameter. In addition, we recommend that this character is not the same as the one specified with the `CF` (control character for z/OS terminal commands) or `HI` (help character) parameter.
2. Within a Natural session, the profile parameter `IA` can be overridden by the session parameter `IA`.
3. Under Natural Security, the setting of this parameter can be overridden by the Session Parameters option of the Library Profile.

#### Example:

In the following example, it is assumed that, for the beginning, the default input assign character (`=`) applies.

    ** Example 'IACHAR': Input Assign character
    ************************************************************************
    DEFINE DATA LOCAL
    1 #A (A1)
    1 #B (A1)
    END-DEFINE
    *
    INPUT #A #B
    *
    WRITE 'Field #A:' #A  / 'Field #B:' #B
    *
    END

1. Enter the command

       IACHAR #A=Y,#B=X

   The program produces the following output:

       Page      1                                                  05-01-19  11:05:51

       Field #A: Y
       Field #B: X

2. Enter the command

       GLOBALS IA=:

   This sets the input assign character to colon (`:`).

3. Then enter the command

       IACHAR #B:X,#A:Y

   The program produces the following output:

       Page      1                                                  06-11-13  12:12:24

       Field #A: Y
       Field #B: X