User-defined variables are fields which you define yourself in a program. They are used to store values or intermediate results obtained at some point in program processing for additional processing or display.
This document covers the following topics:
See also Naming Conventions for User-Defined Variables in Using Natural.
You define a user-defined variable by specifying its name and its format/length in the
DEFINE DATA statement.
You define the characteristics of a variable with the following notation:
| (r,format-length/index) |
This notation follows the variable name, optionally separated by one or more blanks.
No blanks are allowed between the individual elements of the notation.
The individual elements may be specified selectively as required, but when used together, they must be separated by the characters as indicated above.
Example:
In this example, a user-defined variable of alphanumeric format and a length of 10
positions is defined with the name #FIELD1.
DEFINE DATA LOCAL 1 #FIELD1 (A10) ... END-DEFINE
Notes:
DEFINE DATA LOCAL clause,
variables cannot be defined dynamically in a statement.
A statement label or the source-code line number can be used to refer to a previous Natural statement. This can be used to override Natural's default referencing (as described for each statement, where applicable), or for documentation purposes. See also Loop Processing, Referencing Statements within a Program.
The following topics are covered below:
Generally, the following applies if you specify no statement reference notation:
By default, the innermost active database loop (FIND, READ or HISTOGRAM) in which the database field in question has
been read is referenced.
If the field is not read in any active database loop, the last previous GET statement (in reporting mode also
FIND
FIRST or FIND UNIQUE statement) is referenced which is not
contained in an already closed loop and which has read the field.
Any Natural statement which causes a processing loop to be initiated and/or causes data elements to be accessed in the database may be marked with a symbolic label for subsequent referencing.
A label may be specified either in the form
label. before the referencing object or in
parentheses (label.) after the referencing
object (but not both simultaneously).
The naming conventions for labels are identical to those for variables. The period after the label name serves to identify the entry as a label.
Example:
...
RD. READ PERSON-VIEW BY NAME STARTING FROM 'JONES'
FD. FIND AUTO-VIEW WITH PERSONNEL-ID = PERSONNEL-ID (FD.)
DISPLAY NAME (RD.) FIRST-NAME (RD.) MAKE (FD.)
END-FIND
END-READ
...
A statement may also be referenced by using the number of the source-code line in which the statement is located.
All four digits of the line number must be specified (leading zeros must not be omitted).
Example:
... 0110 FIND EMPLOYEES-VIEW WITH NAME = 'SMITH' 0120 FIND VEHICLES-VIEW WITH MODEL = 'FORD' 0130 DISPLAY NAME (0110) MODEL (0120) 0140 END-FIND 0150 END-FIND ...
Line number references (see Referencing of
Database Fields Using (r) Notation and
Referencing
Statements within a Program) within a source are changed if a
related line number is changed by the RENUMBER command. Renumbering applies to all
line reference patterns, except those within an alphanumeric or a Unicode constant. For
example:
#FIELD1 := '(1150)' /* is not renumbered RESET NAME(1150) /* is renumbered
Note
By default, line number references in alphanumeric and Unicode constants are not
renumbered. If they are also to be renumbered, you have to set the profile parameter
RNCONST to
ON.
The following patterns are recognized as being valid source code line number references
and are renumbered (nnnn is a four-digit
number):
| Pattern | Sample Statement |
|---|---|
(nnnn) |
ESCAPE BOTTOM (0150) |
(nnnn/ |
DISPLAY ADDRESS-LINE(0010/1:5) |
(nnnn, |
DISPLAY ADDRESS-LINE (0010,A10/1:5)
|
If the left parenthesis is not immediately followed by
nnnn or if
nnnn is followed by any character other than a
right parenthesis, a comma or a slash, the pattern is not considered a line number
reference and will not be changed.
Format and length of a user-defined variable are specified in parentheses after the variable name.
Fixed-length variables can be defined with the following formats and corresponding lengths.
For the definition of Format and Length in dynamic variables, see Definition of Dynamic Variables.
| Format | Explanation | Definable Length | Internal Length (in Bytes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Alphanumeric | 1 - 1073741824 (1GB) | 1 - 1073741824 |
| B | Binary | 1 - 1073741824 (1GB) | 1 - 1073741824 |
| C | Attribute Control | - | 2 |
| D | Date | - | 4 |
| F | Floating Point | 4 or 8 | 4 or 8 |
| I | Integer | 1 , 2 or 4 | 1, 2 or 4 |
| L | Logical | - | 1 |
| N | Numeric (unpacked) | 1 - 29 | 1 - 29 |
| P | Packed numeric | 1 - 29 | 1 - 15 |
| T | Time | - | 7 |
| U | Unicode (UTF-16) | 1 - 536870912 (0.5 GB) | 2 - 1073741824 |
Length can only be specified if format is specified. With some formats, the length need not be explicitly specified (as shown in the table above).
For fields defined with format N or P, you can use decimal position notation in the
form n.m, where
n represents the number of positions before
the decimal point, and m represents the number
of positions after the decimal point. The sum of the values of
n and
m must not exceed 29.
The maximum "Definable Length" (1 GB for alphanumeric, binary and Unicode fields) represents the limit which is imposed by the Natural compiler. In reality, however, the amount of memory that can be obtained as data storage is very much smaller. Especially if running in a "Natural thread" based environment, the size of the session dependent user areas, hence the extent of the user fields in the data area, is restricted to the size of the thread.
Notes:
DISPLAY,
WRITE, or INPUT statement, Natural internally converts the
format to N for the output.
FS.
For a database field, the format/length as defined for the field in the data definition module (DDM) apply. (In reporting mode, it is also possible to define in a program a different format/length for a database field.)
In structured mode, format and length may only be specified in a data area definition or
with a DEFINE DATA statement.
DEFINE DATA LOCAL 1 EMPLOY-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES 2 NAME 2 FIRST-NAME 1 #NEW-SALARY (N6.2) END-DEFINE ... FIND EMPLOY-VIEW ... ... COMPUTE #NEW-SALARY = ... ...
In reporting mode, format/length may be defined within the body of the program, if no
DEFINE DATA statement is used.
... ... FIND EMPLOYEES ... ... COMPUTE #NEW-SALARY(N6.2) = ... ...
In addition to the standard alphanumeric (A) and numeric (B, F, I, N, P) formats, Natural supports the following special formats:
A variable defined with format C may be used to assign attributes dynamically to a
field used in a DISPLAY, INPUT, PRINT,
PROCESS PAGE or WRITE statement.
For a variable of format C, no length can be specified. The variable is always assigned a length of 2 bytes by Natural.
Example:
DEFINE DATA LOCAL 1 #ATTR (C) 1 #A (N5) END-DEFINE ... MOVE (AD=I CD=RE) TO #ATTR INPUT #A (CV=#ATTR) ...
For further information, see the session parameter CV.
Variables defined with formats D and T can be used for date and time arithmetic and display. Format D can contain date information only. Format T can contain date and time information; in other words, date information is a subset of time information. Time is counted in tenths of seconds.
For variables of formats D and T, no length can be specified. A variable with format D
is always assigned a length of 4 bytes (P6) and a variable of format T is always
assigned a length of 7 bytes (P12) by Natural. If the profile parameter MAXYEAR is set to
9999, a variable with format D is always assigned a length of 4 bytes
(P7) and a variable of format T is always assigned a length of 7 bytes (P13) by
Natural.
Example:
DEFINE DATA LOCAL 1 #DAT1 (D) END-DEFINE * MOVE *DATX TO #DAT1 ADD 7 TO #DAT1 WRITE '=' #DAT1 END
For further information, see the session parameter EM and the system variables *DATX and
*TIMX.
The value in a date field must be in the range from 1st January 1582 to 31st December 2699.
A variable defined of format L may be used as a logical condition criterion. It can
take the value TRUE or FALSE.
For a variable of format L, no length can be specified. A variable of format L is always assigned a length of 1 byte by Natural.
Example:
DEFINE DATA LOCAL 1 #SWITCH(L) END-DEFINE MOVE TRUE TO #SWITCH ... IF #SWITCH ... MOVE FALSE TO #SWITCH ELSE ... MOVE TRUE TO #SWITCH END-IF
For further information on logical value presentation, see the session parameter
EM.
A variable defined as HANDLE OF OBJECT can be used as an object
handle.
For further information on object handles, see the section NaturalX.
An index notation is used for fields that represent an array.
An integer numeric constant or user-defined variable may be used in index notations. A user-defined variable can be specified using one of the following formats: N (numeric), P (packed), I (integer) or B (binary), where format B may be used only with a length of less than or equal to 4.
A system variable, system function or qualified variable cannot be used in index notations.
#ARRAY (3)
Defines a one-dimensional array with three occurrences.
FIELD (label.,A20/5) or
label.FIELD(A20/5)
Defines an array from a database field referencing the statement marked by
label. with format alphanumeric, length 20
and 5 occurrences.
#ARRAY (N7.2/1:5,10:12,1:4)
Defines an array with format/length N7.2 and three array dimensions with 5
occurrences in the first, 3 occurrences in the second and 4 occurrences in the third
dimension.
FIELD (label./i:i + 5) or
label.FIELD(i:i + 5)
Defines an array from a database field referencing the statement marked by
label..
FIELD represents a multiple-value field or a field from a periodic group
where i specifies the offset index within the
database occurrence. The size of the array within the program is defined as 6
occurrences (i:i + 5). The database offset index is specified as a
variable to allow for the positioning of the program array within the occurrences of
the multiple-value field or periodic group. For any repositioning of
i, a new access must be made to the
database using a GET or GET SAME statement.
Natural allows the definition of arrays where the index does not begin with
1. At runtime, Natural checks that index values specified in the reference
do not exceed the maximum size of dimensions as specified in the definition.
Notes:
DEFINE DATA statement).
The maximum index value is 1,073,741,824 (1 GB).
Simple arithmetic expressions using the plus (+) and minus (-) operators may be used in index references. When arithmetic expressions are used as indices, these operators must be preceded and followed by a blank.
Arrays in group structures are resolved by Natural field by field, not group occurrence by group occurrence.
DEFINE DATA LOCAL 1 #GROUP (1:2) 2 #FIELDA (A5/1:2) 2 #FIELDB (A5) END-DEFINE ...
If the group defined above were output in a WRITE statement:
WRITE #GROUP (*)
the occurrences would be output in the following order:
#FIELDA(1,1) #FIELDA(1,2) #FIELDA(2,1) #FIELDA(2,2) #FIELDB(1) #FIELDB(2)
and not:
#FIELDA(1,1) #FIELDA(1,2) #FIELDB(1) #FIELDA(2,1) #FIELDA(2,2) #FIELDB(2)
#ARRAY (1)
References the first occurrence of a one-dimensional array.
#ARRAY (7:12)
References the seventh to twelfth occurrence of a one-dimensional array.
#ARRAY (i + 5)
References the i+fifth occurrence of a one-dimensional array.
#ARRAY (5,3:7,1:4)
Reference is made within a three dimensional array to occurrence 5 in the first
dimension, occurrences 3 to 7 (5 occurrences) in the second dimension and 1 to 4 (4
occurrences) in the third dimension.
An asterisk may be used to reference all occurrences within a dimension:
DEFINE DATA LOCAL 1 #ARRAY1 (N5/1:4,1:4) 1 #ARRAY2 (N5/1:4,1:4) END-DEFINE ... ADD #ARRAY1 (2,*) TO #ARRAY2 (4,*) ...
If a variable name is followed by a 4-digit number enclosed in parentheses, Natural interprets this number as a line-number reference to a statement. Therefore a 4-digit array occurrence must be preceded by a slash (/) to indicate that it is an array occurrence; for example:
#ARRAY(/1000)
not:
#ARRAY(1000)
because the latter would be interpreted as a reference to source code line 1000.
If an index variable name could be misinterpreted as a format/length specification, a slash (/) must be used to indicate that an index is being specified. If, for example, the occurrence of an array is defined by the value of the variable N7, the occurrence must be specified as:
#ARRAY (/N7)
not:
#ARRAY (N7)
because the latter would be misinterpreted as the definition of a 7-byte numeric field.
The following topics are covered below:
Note
Before executing the following example programs, please run the program
INDEXTST in the library SYSEXPG to create an example record
that uses 10 different language codes.
A multiple-value field or periodic-group field within a view/DDM may be defined and referenced using various index notations.
For example, the first to tenth values and the Ith to Ith+10 values of the same multiple-value field/periodic-group field of a database record:
DEFINE DATA LOCAL 1 I (I2) 1 EMPLOY-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES 2 LANG (1:10) 2 LANG (I:I+10) END-DEFINE
or:
RESET I (I2) ... READ EMPLOYEES OBTAIN LANG(1:10) LANG(I:I+10)
Notes:
An array defined with constants may be referenced using either constants or variables. The upper bound of the array cannot be exceeded. The upper bound will be checked by Natural at compilation time if a constant is used.
** Example 'INDEX1R': Array definition with constants (reporting mode) *********************************************************************** * READ (1) EMPLOYEES WITH NAME = 'WINTER' WHERE CITY = 'LONDON' OBTAIN LANG (1:10) /* WRITE 'LANG(1:10):' LANG (1:10) // WRITE 'LANG(1) :' LANG (1) / 'LANG(5:9) :' LANG (5:9) LOOP * END
** Example 'INDEX1S': Array definition with constants (structured mode) *********************************************************************** DEFINE DATA LOCAL 1 EMPLOY-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES 2 NAME 2 FIRST-NAME 2 CITY 2 LANG (1:10) END-DEFINE * READ (1) EMPLOY-VIEW WITH NAME = 'WINTER' WHERE CITY = 'LONDON' WRITE 'LANG(1:10):' LANG (1:10) // WRITE 'LANG(1) :' LANG (1) / 'LANG(5:9) :' LANG (5:9) END-READ END
If a multiple-value field or periodic-group field is defined several times using constants and is to be referenced using variables, the following syntax is used.
** Example 'INDEX2R': Array definition with constants (reporting mode)
** (multiple definition of same database field)
***********************************************************************
DEFINE DATA LOCAL
1 EMPLOY-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES
2 NAME
2 CITY
2 LANG (1:5)
2 LANG (4:8)
END-DEFINE
*
READ (1) EMPLOY-VIEW WITH NAME = 'WINTER' WHERE CITY = 'LONDON'
DISPLAY 'NAME' NAME
'LANGUAGE/1:3' LANG (1.1:3)
'LANGUAGE/6:8' LANG (4.3:5)
LOOP
*
END
** Example 'INDEX2S': Array definition with constants (structured mode)
** (multiple definition of same database field)
***********************************************************************
DEFINE DATA LOCAL
1 EMPLOY-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES
2 NAME
2 CITY
2 LANG (1:5)
2 LANG (4:8)
END-DEFINE
*
READ (1) EMPLOY-VIEW WITH NAME = 'WINTER' WHERE CITY = 'LONDON'
DISPLAY 'NAME' NAME
'LANGUAGE/1:3' LANG (1.1:3)
'LANGUAGE/6:8' LANG (4.3:5)
END-READ
*
END
Multiple-value fields or periodic-group fields in arrays defined with variables must be referenced using the same variable.
** Example 'INDEX3R': Array definition with variables (reporting mode)
***********************************************************************
RESET I (I2)
*
I := 1
READ (1) EMPLOYEES WITH NAME = 'WINTER' WHERE CITY = 'LONDON'
OBTAIN LANG (I:I+10)
/*
WRITE 'LANG(I) :' LANG (I) /
'LANG(I+5:I+7):' LANG (I+5:I+7)
LOOP
*
END
** Example 'INDEX3S': Array definition with variables (structured mode)
***********************************************************************
DEFINE DATA LOCAL
1 I (I2)
*
1 EMPLOY-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES
2 NAME
2 CITY
2 LANG (I:I+10)
END-DEFINE
*
I := 1
READ (1) EMPLOY-VIEW WITH NAME = 'WINTER' WHERE CITY = 'LONDON'
WRITE 'LANG(I) :' LANG (I) /
'LANG(I+5:I+7):' LANG (I+5:I+7)
END-READ
END
If a different index is to be used, an unambiguous reference to the first encountered definition of the array with variable index must be made. This is done by qualifying the index expression as shown below.
** Example 'INDEX4R': Array definition with variables (reporting mode)
***********************************************************************
RESET I (I2) J (I2)
*
I := 2
J := 3
*
READ (1) EMPLOYEES WITH NAME = 'WINTER' WHERE CITY = 'LONDON'
OBTAIN LANG (I:I+10)
/*
WRITE 'LANG(I.J) :' LANG (I.J) /
'LANG(I.1:5):' LANG (I.1:5)
LOOP
*
END
** Example 'INDEX4S': Array definition with variables (structured mode)
***********************************************************************
DEFINE DATA LOCAL
1 I (I2)
1 J (I2)
1 EMPLOY-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES
2 NAME
2 CITY
2 LANG (I:I+10)
END-DEFINE
*
I := 2
J := 3
READ (1) EMPLOY-VIEW WITH NAME = 'WINTER' WHERE CITY = 'LONDON'
WRITE 'LANG(I.J) :' LANG (I.J) /
'LANG(I.1:5):' LANG (I.1:5)
END-READ
END
The expression I. is used to create an unambiguous reference to the array
definition and "positions" to the first value within the read array range
(LANG(I.1:5)).
The current content of I at the time of the database access determines the
starting occurrence of the database array.
For multiple-defined arrays, a reference with qualification of the index expression is usually necessary to ensure an unambiguous reference to the desired array range.
** Example 'INDEX5R': Array definition with constants (reporting mode)
** (multiple definition of same database field)
***********************************************************************
DEFINE DATA LOCAL /* For reporting mode programs
1 EMPLOY-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES /* DEFINE DATA is recommended
2 NAME /* to use multiple definitions
2 CITY /* of same database field
2 LANG (1:10)
2 LANG (5:10)
*
1 I (I2)
1 J (I2)
END-DEFINE
*
I := 1
J := 2
*
READ (1) EMPLOY-VIEW WITH NAME = 'WINTER' WHERE CITY = 'LONDON'
WRITE 'LANG(1.1:10) :' LANG (1.1:10) /
'LANG(1.I:I+2):' LANG (1.I:I+2) //
WRITE 'LANG(5.1:5) :' LANG (5.1:5) /
'LANG(5.J) :' LANG (5.J)
LOOP
END
** Example 'INDEX5S': Array definition with constants (structured mode)
** (multiple definition of same database field)
***********************************************************************
DEFINE DATA LOCAL
1 EMPLOY-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES
2 NAME
2 CITY
2 LANG (1:10)
2 LANG (5:10)
*
1 I (I2)
1 J (I2)
END-DEFINE
*
*
I := 1
J := 2
*
READ (1) EMPLOY-VIEW WITH NAME = 'WINTER' WHERE CITY = 'LONDON'
WRITE 'LANG(1.1:10) :' LANG (1.1:10) /
'LANG(1.I:I+2):' LANG (1.I:I+2) //
WRITE 'LANG(5.1:5) :' LANG (5.1:5) /
'LANG(5.J) :' LANG (5.J)
END-READ
END
A similar syntax is also used if multiple-value fields or periodic-group fields are defined using index variables.
** Example 'INDEX6R': Array definition with variables (reporting mode)
** (multiple definition of same database field)
***********************************************************************
DEFINE DATA LOCAL
1 I (I2) INIT <1>
1 J (I2) INIT <2>
1 N (I2) INIT <1>
1 EMPLOY-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES /* For reporting mode programs
2 NAME /* DEFINE DATA is recommended
2 CITY /* to use multiple definitions
2 LANG (I:I+10) /* of same database field
2 LANG (J:J+5)
2 LANG (4:5)
*
END-DEFINE
*
READ (1) EMPLOY-VIEW WITH NAME = 'WINTER' WHERE CITY = 'LONDON'
*
WRITE 'LANG(I.I) :' LANG (I.I) /
'LANG(1.I:I+2):' LANG (I.I:I+10) //
*
WRITE 'LANG(J.N) :' LANG (J.N) /
'LANG(J.2:4) :' LANG (J.2:4) //
*
WRITE 'LANG(4.N) :' LANG (4.N) /
'LANG(4.N:N+1):' LANG (4.N:N+1) /
LOOP
END
** Example 'INDEX6S': Array definition with variables (structured mode)
** (multiple definition of same database field)
***********************************************************************
DEFINE DATA LOCAL
1 I (I2) INIT <1>
1 J (I2) INIT <2>
1 N (I2) INIT <1>
1 EMPLOY-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES
2 NAME
2 CITY
2 LANG (I:I+10)
2 LANG (J:J+5)
2 LANG (4:5)
*
END-DEFINE
*
READ (1) EMPLOY-VIEW WITH NAME = 'WINTER' WHERE CITY = 'LONDON'
*
WRITE 'LANG(I.I) :' LANG (I.I) /
'LANG(1.I:I+2):' LANG (I.I:I+10) //
*
WRITE 'LANG(J.N) :' LANG (J.N) /
'LANG(J.2:4) :' LANG (J.2:4) //
*
WRITE 'LANG(4.N) :' LANG (4.N) /
'LANG(4.N:N+1):' LANG (4.N:N+1) /
END-READ
END
It is sometimes necessary to reference a multiple-value field and/or a periodic group
without knowing how many values/occurrences exist in a given record. Adabas maintains an
internal count of the number of values of each multiple-value field and the number of
occurrences of each periodic group. This count may be referenced by specifying
C* immediately before the field name.
| SQL | With SQL databases, the C* notation cannot be used.
|
|---|---|
| VSAM | With VSAM, the C* notation does not return the number of
values/occurrences but the maximum occurrence/value as defined in the DDM
(MAXOCC).
|
See also the data-area-editor line command .* (in the Editors
documentation).
The explicit format and length permitted to declare a C* field is either
integer (I) with a length of 2 bytes (I2) or 4 bytes (I4),
numeric (N) or packed (P) with only integer (but no precision) digits; for example (N3).
If no explicit format and length is supplied, format/length (N3) is assumed as default.
C*LANG |
Returns the count of the number of values for the multiple-value field
LANG.
|
C*INCOME |
Returns the count of the number of occurrences for the periodic group
INCOME.
|
C*BONUS(1)
|
Returns the count of the number of values for the multiple-value field
BONUS in periodic group occurrence 1 (assuming that
BONUS is a multiple-value field within a periodic group.)
|
** Example 'CNOTX01': C* Notation
************************************************************************
DEFINE DATA LOCAL
1 EMPL-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES
2 NAME
2 CITY
2 C*INCOME
2 INCOME
3 SALARY (1:5)
3 C*BONUS (1:2)
3 BONUS (1:2,1:2)
2 C*LANG
2 LANG (1:2)
*
1 #I (N1)
END-DEFINE
*
LIMIT 2
READ EMPL-VIEW BY CITY
/*
WRITE NOTITLE 'NAME:' NAME /
'NUMBER OF LANGUAGES SPOKEN:' C*LANG 5X
'LANGUAGE 1:' LANG (1) 5X
'LANGUAGE 2:' LANG (2)
/*
WRITE 'SALARY DATA:'
FOR #I FROM 1 TO C*INCOME
WRITE 'SALARY' #I SALARY (1.#I)
END-FOR
/*
WRITE 'THIS YEAR BONUS:' C*BONUS(1) BONUS (1,1) BONUS (1,2)
/ 'LAST YEAR BONUS:' C*BONUS(2) BONUS (2,1) BONUS (2,2)
SKIP 1
END-READ
END
Output of Program CNOTX01:
NAME: SENKO
NUMBER OF LANGUAGES SPOKEN: 1 LANGUAGE 1: ENG LANGUAGE 2:
SALARY DATA:
SALARY 1 36225
SALARY 2 29900
SALARY 3 28100
SALARY 4 26600
SALARY 5 25200
THIS YEAR BONUS: 0 0 0
LAST YEAR BONUS: 0 0 0
NAME: CANALE
NUMBER OF LANGUAGES SPOKEN: 2 LANGUAGE 1: FRE LANGUAGE 2: ENG
SALARY DATA:
SALARY 1 202285
THIS YEAR BONUS: 1 23000 0
LAST YEAR BONUS: 0 0 0
For a multiple-value field within a periodic group, you can also define a
C* variable with an index range specification.
The following examples use the multiple-value field BONUS, which is part
of the periodic group INCOME. All three examples yield the same result.
** Example 'CNOTX02': C* Notation (multiple-value fields)
************************************************************************
*
LIMIT 2
READ EMPLOYEES BY CITY
OBTAIN C*BONUS (1:3)
BONUS (1:3,1:3)
/*
DISPLAY NAME C*BONUS (1:3) BONUS (1:3,1:3)
LOOP
*
END
** Example 'CNOTX03': C* Notation (multiple-value fields)
************************************************************************
DEFINE DATA LOCAL
1 EMPL-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES
2 NAME
2 CITY
2 INCOME (1:3)
3 C*BONUS
3 BONUS (1:3)
END-DEFINE
*
LIMIT 2
READ EMPL-VIEW BY CITY
/*
DISPLAY NAME C*BONUS (1:3) BONUS (1:3,1:3)
END-READ
*
END
** Example 'CNOTX04': C* Notation (multiple-value fields)
************************************************************************
DEFINE DATA LOCAL
1 EMPL-VIEW VIEW OF EMPLOYEES
2 NAME
2 CITY
2 C*BONUS (1:3)
2 INCOME (1:3)
3 BONUS (1:3)
END-DEFINE
*
LIMIT 2
READ EMPL-VIEW BY CITY
/*
DISPLAY NAME C*BONUS (*) BONUS (*,*)
END-READ
*
END
 |
Warning: As the Adabas format buffer does not permit ranges for count fields, they are generated as individual fields; therefore a C* index range for a large
array may cause an Adabas format buffer overflow. |
To identify a field when referencing it, you may qualify the field; that is, before the field name, you specify the name of the level-1 data element in which the field is located and a period.
If a field cannot be identified uniquely by its name (for example, if the same field name is used in multiple groups/views), you must qualify the field when you reference it.
The combination of level-1 data element and field name must be unique.
DEFINE DATA LOCAL 1 FULL-NAME 2 LAST-NAME (A20) 2 FIRST-NAME (A15) 1 OUTPUT-NAME 2 LAST-NAME (A20) 2 FIRST-NAME (A15) END-DEFINE ... MOVE FULL-NAME.LAST-NAME TO OUTPUT-NAME.LAST-NAME ...
The qualifier must be a level-1 data element.
DEFINE DATA LOCAL
1 GROUP1
2 SUB-GROUP
3 FIELD1 (A15)
3 FIELD2 (A15)
END-DEFINE
...
MOVE 'ABC' TO GROUP1.FIELD1
...
If you use the same name for a user-defined variable and a database field (which you should not do anyway), you must qualify the database field when you want to reference it.
|
Warning: If you do not qualify the database field when you want to reference it, the user-defined variable will be referenced instead. |
DEFINE DATA LOCAL
1 #A1 (A10) /* Alphanumeric, 10 positions.
1 #A2 (B4) /* Binary, 4 positions.
1 #A3 (P4) /* Packed numeric, 4 positions and 1 sign position.
1 #A4 (N7.2) /* Unpacked numeric,
/* 7 positions before and 2 after decimal point.
1 #A5 (N7.) /* Invalid definition!!!
1 #A6 (P7.2) /* Packed numeric, 7 positions before and 2 after decimal point
/* and 1 sign position.
1 #INT1 (I1) /* Integer, 1 byte.
1 #INT2 (I2) /* Integer, 2 bytes.
1 #INT3 (I3) /* Invalid definition!!!
1 #INT4 (I4) /* Integer, 4 bytes.
1 #INT5 (I5) /* Invalid definition!!!
1 #FLT4 (F4) /* Floating point, 4 bytes.
1 #FLT8 (F8) /* Floating point, 8 bytes.
1 #FLT2 (F2) /* Invalid definition!!!
1 #DATE (D) /* Date (internal format/length P6).
1 #TIME (T) /* Time (internal format/length P12).
1 #SWITCH (L) /* Logical, 1 byte (TRUE or FALSE).
/*
END-DEFINE