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 and DL/I databases, the
C* notation does not return the number of values/occurrences but
the maximum occurrence/value as defined in the DDM
(MAXOCC).
|
| DL/I |
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.
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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