With this session parameter, you specify the default output length for an alphanumeric field; that is, when it is specified shorter than the field length, the field will be right-truncated.

Possible settings	1 to n	n = value of LS (line size) parameter minus 1
Default setting	none
Applicable statements	FORMAT
	DISPLAY INPUT PRINT WRITE	Parameter may be specified at statement level and/or at element level.
Applicable command	none

Notes:

1. It is not recommended to use the AL session parameter for input fields (attribute definition AD=A or AD=M) in an INPUT statement.
2. Any edit mask specified for a field (see session parameter EM) will override the AL session parameter for this field.

Example:

FORMAT AL=20

See also Parameters to Influence the Output of Fields in the Programming Guide.