INPUT Syntax 2 - Using Predefined Map Layout

This form of the INPUT statement is used to perform input processing using a map layout that has been created using the Natural map editor.

Map layouts can be used in two ways:

  • the program does not provide a parameter list;

  • the program does provide a parameter list (operand1).

INPUT [WINDOW='window-name'] [WITH-TEXT-option]
  [MARK-option]
  [ALARM-option]
  [USING] MAP map-name [NO ERASE]

operand1

NO PARAMETER

This document covers the following topics:

For an explanation of the symbols used in the syntax diagram, see Syntax Symbols.

INPUT USING MAP without Parameter List

The following requirements must be met when INPUT USING MAP is used without parameter list:

  • The map-name must be specified as an alphanumeric constant (up to 8 characters).

  • The map used in this manner must have been created prior to the compilation of the program which references the map.

  • The names of the fields to be processed are taken dynamically from the map source definition at compilation time. The field names used in both program and map must be identical.

  • All fields to be referenced in the INPUT statement must be accessible at that point.

  • In structured mode, fields must have been previously defined (database fields must be properly referenced to processing loops or views).

  • In reporting mode, user-defined variables may be newly defined in the map.

  • When the map layout is changed, the programs using the map need not be recataloged. However, when array structures or names, formats/lengths of fields are changed, or fields are added/deleted in the map, the programs using the map must be recataloged.

  • The map source must be available at program compilation; otherwise the INPUT USING MAP statement cannot be compiled.

    Note:
    If you wish to compile the program even if the map is not yet available, specify NO PARAMETER: the INPUT USING MAP can then be compiled even if the map is not yet available.

INPUT Fields Defined in the Program

By specifying the names of the fields to be processed within the program (operand1), it is possible to have the names of the fields in the program differ from the names of the fields in the map.

The sequence of fields in the program must match the map sequence. Please note that the map editor sorts the fields as specified in the map in alphabetical order by field name. For more information, see the map editor description in your Natural Editors documentation.

When the layout of the map is changed, the program using the map need not be recataloged. However, when field names, field formats/lengths, or array structures in the map are changed or fields are added or deleted in the map, the program must be recataloged.

A check is made at execution time to ensure that the format and length of the fields as specified in the program match the fields as specified in the map. If both layouts do not agree, an error message is produced.

INPUT Syntax 2 - Description

Operand Definition Table:

Operand Possible Structure Possible Formats Referencing Permitted Dynamic Definition
map-name C S       A U                       yes no
operand1   S A     A U N P I F B D T L C     yes yes

Syntax Element Description:

Syntax Element Description
INPUT WINDOW='window-name'
INPUT WINDOW='window-name' Option:

This option is described under Syntax 1 of the INPUT statement.

WITH TEXT/MARK/ALARM-options
WITH TEXT/MARK/ALARM Options:

These options are described under Syntax 1 of the INPUT statement; see WITH TEXT Option, MARK Option, ALARM Option.

USING MAP map-name
USING MAP Clause:

USING MAP invokes a map definition which has been previously stored in a Natural system file using the map editor.

The map-name may be a 1- to 8-character alphanumeric constant or user-defined variable. If a variable is used, it must have been previously defined. The map name may contain an ampersand (&); at execution time, this character will be replaced by the one-character code corresponding to the current value of the Natural system variable *LANGUAGE. This feature allows the use of multi-lingual maps.

The execution of the INPUT statement causes the corresponding map to replace the current contents of the screen, unless the NO ERASE option is specified, in which case the map will overlay the current contents of the screen.

NO ERASE
NO ERASE Option:

This option is described under Syntax 1 of the INPUT statement; see NO ERASE.

operand1
Field Specification:

A list of database fields and/or user-defined variables. The fields must agree in number, sequence, format, length and (for arrays) number of occurrences with the fields in the referenced map; otherwise, an error occurs.

When the content of a database field is modified as a result of INPUT processing, only the value as contained in the data area is modified. Appropriate database UPDATE / STORE statements must be used to change the content of the database.

Using the INPUT Statement in Non-Screen Modes

You can change the input mode with the session parameter IM.

Forms Mode

In forms mode (profile/session parameter IM=F), Natural will display all output text of the map layout on the terminal field by field according to the positioning parameters. This permits the user to enter data on a field by field basis. When all data are entered, the hardcopy output is produced exactly as it would have appeared on the screen.

In forms mode, entering %R permits the operator to retype the entire form in case of an error. The input is processed as in the first execution of the INPUT statement.

Keyword/Delimiter Mode

In keyword/delimiter mode (profile/session parameter IM=D), data can be entered using keywords or positional input values.

General Validation Rules

Data entered in keyword/delimiter mode are validated as for screen mode. An error message will be returned if an attempt is made to enter more characters than defined for a field.

If the INPUT statement is to be processed in keyword/delimiter mode on a buffered (3270-type) terminal or a workstation, all data to be assigned to one INPUT statement must be entered on one screen. ENTER is only to be used when all data to the INPUT statement have been entered.

Keyword Input

Using keyword input, the terminal operator may enter data for the individual fields using the prompting text that, in forms mode, would have been displayed before the value as a keyword to identify the field. The keyword must be followed by the input assign character (IA parameter), followed immediately by the data. Any spaces following the assign character are taken as data up to the delimiter character (ID parameter). A delimiter character is not required after the last data element. Keyword data for the different fields may be entered in any order separated by the delimiter character. If the operator types in a keyword which is not defined in the INPUT statement, an error message will be returned. Data need not be entered for all input fields. Fields for which no data are entered are set to blank for alphanumeric fields and zero for numeric and hexadecimal fields.

A keyword and the corresponding input field must be on the same logical line. If their aggregate length exceeds the line size, adjust the line size (LS parameter) accordingly so that keyword and field fit onto one line.

Indexed Input

Using indexed input, the terminal operator may enter data for the individual input fields using their ordinal values prefixed with a percent character (%). This index specification must be followed by the input assign character (IA parameter), followed immediately by the data.

Indexed data for the different fields may be entered in any order separated by the delimiter character (ID parameter). If the specified ordinal value does not correspond to that of any existing input field, an error message will be returned. Data need not be entered for all input fields. Fields for which no data are entered are set to blank for alphanumeric fields and zero for numeric and hexadecimal fields.

Positional Input

Using positional value input, the terminal operator enters only data for all input fields separated by the currently defined input delimiter character (ID parameter). The sequence of fields for input must correspond to the sequence of the fields in the INPUT statement.

The user may switch from positional to keyword input by entering a number of values in positional input separated by the delimiter character and then switching to keyword mode for selected fields by specifying keywords in front of the values.

After a keyword has been used to position to a field, any non-keyword input following the keyword will be processed as positional input to be assigned to fields following the previously selected field in the INPUT statement.

Example of Keyword, Indexed and Positional Input

If you execute the following program

***** Program PGM1 *****
DEFINE DATA LOCAL
1 #F1 (A10)                               
1 #F2 (A10)                               
1 #F3 (A10)                               
END-DEFINE                                
INPUT (IP=ON) /  'FLD1' #F1                  
              /  'FLD2' #F2                  
              /  'FLD3' #F3                  
WRITE 'FLD1' #F1 
    / 'FLD2' #F2
    / 'FLD3' #F3
END

from the command line with any of the following commands, assuming the comma (,) is used as the delimiter character 

PGM1 FLD1=AA,FLD3=CC
 keyword input 
PGM1 %1=AA,%3=CC
 indexed input 
PGM1 AA,,CC
 positional input 
PGM1 AA,FLD3=CC
 positional input combined with keyword 
PGM1 AA,FLD2=,CC
 positional input combined with keyword 
PGM1 AA,%3=CC
 combined positional and indexed input

you will always receive the following output

FLD1 AA
FLD2   
FLD3 CC

Processing Data from the Natural Stack

Data elements that have been placed in the Natural stack via a FETCH, RUN or STACK statement will be processed by the next INPUT statement encountered for execution.

The INPUT statement will process the data in keyword/delimiter mode as described above.

If data elements are not available to fill all input fields, fields will be filled with blank/zero depending on the field format. If more data elements are specified than input fields exist, the remaining data are ignored.

When a field is filled with data from the stack, the field attributes do not apply to the data.

The Natural system variable *DATA may be referenced to determine the number of data elements currently available in the Natural stack.

Using the INPUT Statement in Batch Mode

The following topics are covered below:

In Batch Forms Mode

A data record is read for each line containing one or more AD=A and/or AD=M fields, and the data contained in the record are assigned to the appropriate field (or fields).

Input data fields are assumed to be contiguous. Unless the delimiter character is used, input data must be entered in the exact length according to the internal definition of the field. For numeric fields, space must be allowed for a sign (if SG=ON) and decimal point when appropriate.

Data may optionally be entered using the delimiter character to separate the values of the individual fields. In this case, data need not be entered in the exact number of positions according to the internal definition but are processed from left to right beginning in position 1. The rules for data entry are the same as described under Entering Data in Response to an INPUT Statement. In addition, the assign character may be used to skip a field.

In Batch Keyword/Delimiter Mode

Keyword/delimiter mode, when used in batch mode, functions the same as keyword/delimiter mode as used for stack input.