Application-Related System Variables

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# Application-Related System Variables

This document covers the following topics:

- *APPLIC-ID

- *APPLIC-NAME

- *COM

- *CONTROL

- *CONVID

- *COUNTER (r)

- *CPU-TIME

- *CURRENT-UNIT

- *DATA

- *DIALOG-ID

- *EDITOR

- *ERROR-LINE

- *ERROR-NR

- *ERROR-TA

- *ETID

- *EVENT

- *ISN (r)

- *LBOUND

- *LENGTH (field)

- *LEVEL

- *LIBRARY-ID

- *LINE

- *LINEX

- *LOAD-LIBRARY-ID

- *NUMBER (r)

- *OCCURRENCE

- *PAGE-EVENT

- *PAGE-LEVEL

- *PROGRAM

- *REINPUT-TYPE

- *ROWCOUNT

- *STARTUP

- *STEPLIB

- *SUBROUTINE

- *THIS-OBJECT

- *TYPE

- *UBOUND

## *APPLIC-ID

Format/length: | A8
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the ID of the library to which the user is currently logged on.

## *APPLIC-NAME

Format/length: | A32
Content modifiable: | No

#### Under Natural Security

If Natural Security is installed, this system variable contains the name of the library to which the user is logged on. If the user is logged on via a special link, it contains the link name instead. If Natural Security is not installed, this system variable contains the name `SYSTEM`.

The general option `Set *APPLIC-NAME always to library name` can be set so that `*APPLIC-NAME` always contains the library name, regardless of whether the user is logged on via a special link or not. See Set *APPLIC-NAME always to library name in the Natural Security documentation.

## *COM

Format/length: | A128
Content modifiable: | Yes

This system variable designates a communication area which can be used to process data from outside a screen window.

Normally when a window is active, no data can be entered on the screen outside the window. However, if a map contains `*COM` as a modifiable field, that field will still be available for the user to enter data when a window is currently on the screen. Further processing can then be made dependent on the content of `*COM`. This allows you to implement user interfaces where a user can always enter data in the command line, even when a window with its own input fields is active.

Note
Although `*COM` can be used as a modifiable field in an `INPUT` statement, it is not treated as an input field, but as a system variable; that is, any input entered into the `*COM` field will be taken as it is, without any input processing (e.g. conversion to upper case) being performed on it. Once `*COM` has been displayed on the screen via an `INPUT` statement, every subsequent `INPUT` or `REINPUT` statement will cause the current content of `*COM` to be displayed.

See also:

Dialog Design in the Programming Guide

- Processing Data Outside an Active Window

- Positioning the Cursor to *COM - the %T* Terminal Command

- Copying Data from a Screen

## *CONTROL

Format/length: | Handle
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the handle of the dialog element for which the current event has been triggered.

For details on events, see Event-Driven Programming Techniques in the Programming Guide.

## *CONVID

Format/length: | I4
Content modifiable: | Yes

This system variable contains the conversation ID of the current conversational remote procedure call (RPC). This ID is set by an `OPEN CONVERSATION` statement.

Via an `OPEN CONVERSATION` statement, a client can get a server for exclusive use to execute a number of services (subprograms) within one server process. This exclusive use is called conversation. The `OPEN CONVERSATION` statement is used to open a conversation and specify the subprograms to be involved in this conversation. When an `OPEN CONVERSATION` statement is executed, it assigns a unique ID which identifies the conversation to the system variable `*CONVID`.

Several conversations can be open at the same time. To switch from one open conversation to another, you assign the corresponding conversation ID to `*CONVID`.

For further information on Natural RPC, see the Natural RPC (Remote Procedure Call) documentation.

## *COUNTER (r)

Format/length: | P10
Content modifiable: | Yes

This system variable contains the number of times a processing loop initiated by a `FIND`, `READ`, `HISTOGRAM` or `PARSE` statement has been entered.

`(r)` notation after `*COUNTER` is used to indicate the statement label or source-code line number of the `FIND`, `READ`, `HISTOGRAM` or `PARSE` statement. If `(r)` is not specified, `*COUNTER` represents the number of times the currently active processing loop has been entered.

`*COUNTER` is not incremented if a record is rejected as a result of the criteria specified in a `WHERE` clause. `*COUNTER` is incremented if a record is rejected as a result of an `ACCEPT`/`REJECT` statement.

## *CPU-TIME

Format/length: | I4
Content modifiable: | No

`*CPU-TIME` contains the CPU time currently used by the Natural process in units of 10 ms.

## *CURRENT-UNIT

Format/length: | A32
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the name of the currently executed unit. This is

- the function name in case of the object type "function",

- the inline subroutine name if an inline subroutine is performed,

- the external subroutine name in case of the object type "subroutine", see also `*SUBROUTINE`,

- the object name in case of all other object types (program, subprogram, map, dialog, etc.); see also `*PROGRAM`.

The contents of `*CURRENT-UNIT` will always be in upper case.

## *DATA

Format/length: | N3
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the number of data elements in the Natural stack which are available to the next `INPUT` statement as input data. `*DATA` will contain `0` when the stack is empty. A value of `-1` indicates the next element in the stack is a command or the name of a Natural transaction.

The settings of the Natural profile/session parameters `IA` (Input Assign Character) and `ID` (Input Delimiter Character) at the time of execution of the `STACK` statement are used to determine the `*DATA` value.

## *DIALOG-ID

Format/length: | I4
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the ID of the current instance of a dialog.

For details on dialogs, see Event-Driven Programming Techniques in the Programming Guide.

## *EDITOR

Format/length: | L
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable indicates whether the Natural program, data area, and map editors are enabled and can be used.

It can contain one of the following values:

Value | Description
--- | ---
TRUE | The editors are enabled.
FALSE | The editors are not enabled and cannot be used.

## *ERROR-LINE

Format/length: | N4
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the source-code line number of the statement that caused an error.

`*ERROR-LINE` is reset to `0` when a Level 1 program starts executing.

## *ERROR-NR

Alternatively, you may specify `*ERROR`.

Format/length: | N7
Content modifiable: | Yes

This system variable contains the error number of the error which caused an `ON ERROR` condition to be entered.

Only error numbers in the range from 0 to 9999 are supported.

Normally, `*ERROR-NR` contains the Natural system error number which caused an error condition to be entered; however, when a `REINPUT WITH TEXT *nnnn` statement is executed, the application-specific message number nnnn is placed into `*ERROR-NR`.

You may modify the content of this system variable via a Natural program; however, not within an `ON ERROR` statement block.

`*ERROR-NR` is reset to `0` when a Level 1 program starts executing.

## *ERROR-TA

Format/length: | A8
Content modifiable: | Yes

This system variable contains the name of the error transaction program which is to receive control in the event of an error condition.

For further information, see Using an Error Transaction Program in the Programming Guide.

## *ETID

Format/length: | A8
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the current identifier of transaction data for Adabas. The default value is one of the following:

- the value of the Natural profile parameter `ETID`,

- the value from the security profile of the currently active user (applies only under Natural Security).

## *EVENT

Format/length: | A32
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the name of the current event.

For details on events, see Event-Driven Programming Techniques in the Programming Guide.

## *ISN (r)

Format/length: | P10
Content modifiable: | Yes

This system variable contains the Adabas internal sequence number (ISN) of the record currently being processed within a processing loop initiated by a `FIND` or `READ` statement.

`(r)` notation after `*ISN` is used to indicate the label or statement number of the statement in which the `FIND` or `READ` was issued. If `(r)` is not specified, `*ISN` represents the ISN of the record currently being processed in the currently active processing loop.

For the `HISTOGRAM` statement, `*ISN` contains the number of the occurrence in which the descriptor value last read is contained (`*ISN` = 0 if the descriptor is not contained within a periodic group).

#### Database-Specific Information:

SQL Databases | `*ISN` cannot be used.
Tamino | `*ISN` contains the XML object ID.

## *LBOUND

Format/length: | I4
Content modifiable: | No

`*LBOUND` contains the current lower boundary (index value) of an array for the specified dimension(s) (1, 2 or 3) or for all dimensions (asterisk (*) notation).

Syntax:

`*LBOUND` (operand1 [,dim])

Operand Definition Table:

Operand | Possible Structure | Possible Formats | Referencing Permitted | Dynamic Definition
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
operand1 |  |  | A |  |  | A | U | N | P | I | F | B | D | T | L | C | G | O | yes | no

operand1 is the array for which the lower boundary is specified. The index notation of the array is optional. As index notation only the complete range notation * is allowed for each dimension.

dim is the dimension number for which the current lower boundary is returned:

dim = |  | 1 2 3 * |

If no dimension is specified, the lower bound of the first dimension is returned.

If 1, 2 or 3 is specified, the lower bound of the first, second or third dimension is returned.

If * is specified, the lower bound of all the defined dimensions are returned, that is,

- 1 in case of an one dimensional array,

- 2 in case of a two dimensional array,

- 3 in case of three dimensional array.

If an X-array is not allocated and the lower bound of the specified dimension of this X-array is the variable index bound, that is, it is represented by an asterisk (*) character in the index definition, the lower bound of the specified dimension is undefined, and access to `*LBOUND` leads to a runtime error. In order to avoid the runtime error, `*OCCURRENCE` may be used to check against zero occurrences:

    DEFINE DATA LOCAL
      1 #XA(A5/1:*)
    END-DEFINE
    IF *OCCURRENCE (#XA) NE 0 AND *LBOUND(#XA) > 10
      THEN ...

Examples:

    DEFINE DATA LOCAL
      1 #I  (I4)
      1 #J  (I4/1:3)
      1 #XA (A5/10:*,20:*)
    END-DEFINE
    #I  := *LBOUND(#XA)       /* lower bound of 1st dimension is 10
    #I  := *LBOUND(#XA,1)     /* lower bound of 1st dimension is 10
    #I  := *LBOUND(#XA,2)     /* lower bound of 2nd dimension is 20
    #J(1:2):= *LBOUND(#XA,*)  /* lower bound of all dimensions
                              /* #J(1) is 10 and #J(2) is 20
    END

See also `*UBOUND` and `*OCCURRENCE`.

## *LENGTH (field)

Format/length: | I4
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable returns the currently used length of a field defined as dynamic variable in terms of code units; for A and B format the size of one code unit is 1 byte and for U format the size of one code unit is 2 bytes (UTF-16). `*LENGTH(field)` applies to dynamic variables only.

See also Value Space Currently Used for a Dynamic Variable in the Programming Guide.

## *LEVEL

Format/length: | N2
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the level number of the program, subprogram, external subroutine, map, helproutine or dialog which is currently active. Level 1 is a main program. If higher levels occur during runtime (maximum = `512`), then the content of `*LEVEL` will be `99`.

`*LEVEL` does not apply to inline subroutines.

See also Using an Error Transaction Program in the Programming Guide.

## *LIBRARY-ID

Format/length: | A8
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the current library ID (as specified by the user in the `LOGON` command).

This variable is the equivalent of the variable `*APPLIC-ID`.

## *LINE

Format/length: | I4
Content modifiable: | No

It contains the number of the line currently executed in a Natural object.

## *LINEX

Format/length: | A100
Content modifiable: | No

Returns the line number of the statement currently executing, with all line numbers of used `INCLUDE` levels.

When used in the main source of a program (not inside a copycode), it returns only the number of the line in which it is referenced. In this case, the data is the same as what is returned by `*LINE`, except the format is (A100).

If `*LINEX` is used in a (nested) `INCLUDE` structure, all the line numbers starting from the first `INCLUDE` up to the last `INCLUDE` and the line number of the statement are returned in this field, separated from each other by a slash.

Example:

    ....
    3200
    3210 INCLUDE COPY01
         0010 ...
         0020 ...
         ....
         0200 INCLUDE COPY02
              0010 ...
              0020 ...
              ....
              0050 PRINT *LINEX

The output produced by the `PRINT` statement is `3210/0200/0050` and represents the complete line number path needed to exactly locate the position where `*LINEX` was referenced initially.

## *LOAD-LIBRARY-ID

Format/length: | A8
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the library ID from where the current executed object was loaded.

## *NUMBER (r)

Format/length: | P10
Content modifiable: | Yes

This system variable contains either of the following:

- the number of records which were selected as a result of a `FIND` statement (as a result of the `WITH` clause);

- the number of values selected as a result of a `HISTOGRAM` statement;

`(r)` notation after `*NUMBER` is used to indicate the statement label or source-code line number of the associated statement. If `(r)` is not specified, `*NUMBER` automatically refers to the innermost active `FIND` or `HISTOGRAM` processing loop by default.

Note
When `*NUMBER` is used in conjunction with a `FIND` statement and the Adabas file accessed is protected by the Adabas facility Security By Value, `*NUMBER` will contain `9999999999`, if more than 1 record was found. If 1 record was found, `*NUMBER` will contain 1. If no record was found, `*NUMBER` will contain 0.

#### Database-Specific Information:

SQL Databases | For SQL databases, `*NUMBER` only contains the number of rows found, when used with a `FIND NUMBER` or with a `HISTOGRAM` statement without a `WHERE` clause. In all other cases, `*NUMBER` will not contain the number of rows found: `*NUMBER` will be `0` if no rows have been found; any value other than `0` indicates that rows have been found, but the value will have no relation to the number of rows actually found.
Tamino | When used with a `FIND NUMBER` statement without a `WHERE` clause, `*NUMBER` will contain the number of rows found. Otherwise, when applied to an XML database, `*NUMBER` will not contain the number of rows found: `*NUMBER` will be `0` if no rows have been found. Any value other than `0` indicates that rows have been found. However, the value will have no relation to the number of rows actually found. If a `FIND NUMBER` with a `WHERE` clause is used, the number of rows found is returned in `*COUNTER`.

## *OCCURRENCE

Format/length: | I4
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable provides the current number of occurrences of an array. It can be applied to all kinds of array fields, with a fixed or variable number of occurrences.

This covers:

- static arrays with a constant number of occurrences

  Example: `(1:5)`

- X-Arrays with an alterable number of occurrences

  Example: `(1:*)`

- parameter arrays, defined as `(1:V)`

Syntax:

`*OCCURRENCE` (operand1 [,dim])

Operand Definition Table:

Operand | Possible Structure | Possible Formats | Referencing Permitted | Dynamic Definition
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
operand1 |  |  | A |  |  | A | U | N | P | I | F | B | D | T | L | C | G | O | yes | no

operand1 is the array for which the number of occurrences is returned. The index notation of the array is optional. If supplied, only the complete range notation * is allowed for each dimension, such as `*OCC(#X(*))` or `*OCC(#Y(*,*))`.

dim is the dimension number for which the current number of occurrences is returned:

dim = |  | 1 2 3 * |

Explanation:

`1` | One-dimensional array. This is the default, if dim is not specified.
`2` | Two-dimensional array.
`3` | Three-dimensional array.
`*` | All dimensions defined for the corresponding array apply.

In a parameter data area, you can use the index notation `(1:V)` to define an array with a variable number of occurrences (see the `DEFINE DATA` statement). The current number of occurrences of such an array is determined at runtime. With `*OCCURRENCE`, you can ascertain the current number of array occurrences.

Examples:

    DEFINE DATA
    PARAMETER
      1 #PARR  (I2/1:V)
    LOCAL
      1 #FARR  (I2/1:5)
      1 #XARR1 (I2/1:*)
      1 #XARR2 (I2/1:*,1:*)
      1 #I     (I2)
      1 #J     (I2)
    END-DEFINE
    FOR #I = 1 TO *OCC(#PARR)       /* Parameter array
      WRITE 2X #I
    END-FOR
    FOR #I = 1 TO *OCC(#FARR)       /* Fixed array
      WRITE 4X #I
    END-FOR
    EXPAND ARRAY #XARR1 TO (1:4)
    FOR #I = 1 TO *OCC(#XARR1)      /* X-Array
      WRITE 6X #I
    END-FOR
    EXPAND ARRAY #XARR2 TO (1:3,1:4)
    FOR #I = 1 TO *OCC(#XARR2,1)    /* X-Array
      FOR #J = 1 TO *OCC(#XARR2,2)
        WRITE 8X #I #J
      END-FOR
    END-FOR
    END

See also the example programs `OCC1P` and `OCC2P`.

Concerning X-arrays, `*OCCURRENCE` contains the current number of occurrences:

    DEFINE DATA LOCAL
      1 #I   (I4)
      1 #J   (I4/1:3)
      1 #XA  (A5/1:*,1:*)
    END-DEFINE
    EXPAND ARRAY #XA TO (1:10,1:20)
    #I      := *OCC(#XA)    /* #I=10
    #I      := *OCC(#XA,1)  /* #I=10
    #I      := *OCC(#XA,2)  /* #I=20
    #J(1:2) := *OCC(#XA,*)  /* #J(1)=10  #J(2)=20
    END

## *PAGE-EVENT

Format/length: | U(dynamic)
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the name of the current event delivered from Natural for Ajax.

It is used for rich GUI programming with the `PROCESS PAGE` statement. For further information, see the Natural for Ajax documentation.

## *PAGE-LEVEL

Format/length: | I4
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the level of the active `PROCESS PAGE MODAL` statement blocks.

If no `PROCESS PAGE MODAL` is active, the value of `*PAGE-LEVEL` is `0`.

Note
If the value of `*PAGE-LEVEL` is greater than `0`, no output to Report 0 via an `INPUT`, `PRINT`, `WRITE` or `DISPLAY` statement is possible.

## *PROGRAM

Format/length: | A8
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the name of the Natural object that is currently being executed.

## *REINPUT-TYPE

Format/length: | A16
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable indicates whether the application is in a state that allows execution of a `REINPUT` or `PROCESS PAGE UPDATE` statement.

An application can use an `INPUT` and (if running with Natural for Ajax) a `PROCESS PAGE USING` statement to perform an input/output processing. Under certain conditions, an application may return and re-execute these I/O statements with a `REINPUT` or `PROCESS PAGE UPDATE` statement.

The value returned by this system variable indicates whether or not such a re-executing statement is possible at this position. It returns one of the following values:

Value | Description
--- | ---
(blanks) | The application can neither perform a `REINPUT` nor a `PROCESS PAGE UPDATE` statement.
`REINPUT` | The application can perform a `REINPUT`, but no `PROCESS PAGE UPDATE` statement.
`UPDATE` | The application can perform a `PROCESS PAGE UPDATE`, but no `REINPUT` statement.

## *ROWCOUNT

Format/length: | I4
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the number of rows that were deleted, updated or inserted by one of the Natural SQL statements "searched" `DELETE`, "searched" `UPDATE` or `INSERT` (with select-expression), respectively. `*ROWCOUNT` always refers to the last executed one of these statements.

## *STARTUP

Format/length: | A8
Content modifiable: | Yes

The program whose name is contained in this system variable will be executed whenever Natural would otherwise display the command input prompt (`NEXT` prompt or direct command line/window).

- Activation of *STARTUP

- Deactivation of *STARTUP

- Avoiding Undesirable Results when Using *STARTUP

### Activation of *STARTUP

> Initial Setting without Natural Security

>   If Natural Security is not used, the value of the `NATPARM` parameter `STARTUP` applies.

> Initial Setting with Natural Security

>   If Natural Security is used and a logon to a library is executed, `*STARTUP` contains the name of the program which has been entered in Natural Security as the startup transaction in the security profile of the respective library (except in batch mode; see also the Natural Security documentation).

> Setting at Runtime

>   You can assign a program name to `*STARTUP` which always overwrites the content of `*STARTUP`.

### Deactivation of *STARTUP

Perform the following steps to deactivate the program contained in `*STARTUP`:

- Depending on the context in which `*STARTUP` is used, there are several ways to properly terminate a startup program without causing a program loop or Natural error NAT9969, respectively. Choose one of the following options:

  1. Set the `*STARTUP` system variable to a blank value (for example, by using the `RESET *STARTUP` statement) and finish the startup afterwards.

  2. Terminate the session.

  3. Force a logoff or a logon to another library.

- If the `*STARTUP` program issues a `MORE` prompt, enter a command or another input to interrupt the program.

- If the `*STARTUP` program issues any output, request a command prompt by issuing a Natural `%%` terminal command.

  A `%%` command deactivates the startup program in either a non-security or Natural Security environment in which command mode is allowed for the current library.

### Avoiding Undesirable Results when Using *STARTUP

When you define a startup program, consider that values returned for the system variables `*DEVICE`, `*SERVER-TYPE` or `*SCREEN-IO` can affect the program result. For example, perform the following steps to avoid undesirable results:

- In batch mode (`*DEVICE` or `*SCREEN-IO`), include a `FETCH` or `STACK COMMAND` statement in the startup program; otherwise, a program loop or Natural error NAT9969 can occur.

- If you map a Natural Development Server environment (`*SERVER-TYPE`) from NaturalONE and select a library with an active `*STARTUP`, make sure that the startup program does not perform screen I/O and terminates properly in the respective library (a logon to another library is not allowed). You can use the application programming interface USR4218N to find out whether NaturalONE is your current system environment. See also the description of startup transactions in the section Using an Existing Natural Development Server Environment, the section Frequently Asked Questions and the Glossary in the NaturalONE documentation.

> *STARTUP under Natural Security

>   In a Natural Security environment in which command mode is prohibited for the current library, `%%` will cause the program whose name is contained in `*STARTUP` to be invoked.

>   The startup program must contain a `FETCH` or `STACK COMMAND` statement if the NEXT/MORE line is not allowed in the security profile of the library where the program resides. See also the corresponding option setting described in Security Options in the section Library Maintenance in the Natural Security documentation.

>   When a Natural runtime error occurs which is caused by a startup transaction (`*STARTUP`), Natural's error processing might lead to the startup transaction being executed again. This would cause an error-loop situation. To prevent such a loop, the general option Logoff in error case if *STARTUP is active is available. See Logoff in Error Case if *STARTUP is Active in the Natural Security documentation.

## *STEPLIB

Format/length: | A8
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the name of the steplib library which has been concatenated to the Natural library to which the user is currently logged on.

If Natural Security is not active, `*STEPLIB` contains the `*STEPLIB` name specified with the profile parameter `STEPLIB` in the parameter file used.

If Natural Security is active, the value may be defined in the security profile of a given library.

Note
The database ID and file number of the `*STEPLIB` library are derived from its name. Apart from the library `SYSTEM`, libraries with the name `SYSxxx` are assumed to be in `FNAT` and other libraries are assumed to be in `FUSER`.

## *SUBROUTINE

Format/length: | A32
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the name of the external subroutine that is currently being executed. The contents of `*SUBROUTINE` will always be in upper case.

## *THIS-OBJECT

Format/length: | HANDLE OF OBJECT
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains a handle to the currently active object. The currently active object uses `*THIS-OBJECT` to either execute its own methods or pass a reference to itself to another object.

`*THIS-OBJECT` only contains an actual value when a method is being executed. Otherwise it contains `NULL-HANDLE`.

## *TYPE

Format/length: | A32
Content modifiable: | No

This system variable contains the type of the Natural object which is currently executed.

Valid values of `*TYPE`:

Value | Object Type
--- | ---
`PROGRAM` | Program
`FUNCTION` | Function
`SUBPROGRAM` | Subprogram
`SUBROUTINE` | Subroutine
`HELPROUTINE` | Helproutine
`MAP` | Map
`ADAPTER` | Adapter
`DIALOG` | Dialog

## *UBOUND

Format/length: | I4
Content modifiable: | No

`*UBOUND` contains the current upper boundary (index value) of an array for the specified dimension(s) (1, 2 or 3) or for all dimensions (* notation).

Syntax:

`*UBOUND` (operand1 [,dim])

Operand Definition Table:

Operand | Possible Structure | Possible Formats | Referencing Permitted | Dynamic Definition
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
operand1 |  |  | A |  |  | A | U | N | P | I | F | B | D | T | L | C | G | O | yes | no

operand1 is the array for which the upper boundary is specified. The index notation of the array is optional. As index notation only the complete range notation * is allowed for each dimension.

dim is the dimension number for which the current upper boundary is returned:

dim = |  | 1 2 3 * |

If no dimension is specified, the upper bound of the first dimension is returned.

If 1, 2 or 3 is specified, the upper bound of the first, second or third dimension is returned.

If * is specified, the upper bound of all the defined dimensions are returned, that is

- 1 in case of an one dimensional array,

- 2 in case of a two dimensional array,

- 3 in case of three dimensional array.

If an X-array is not allocated and the upper bound of the specified dimension of this X-array is the variable index bound, that is, it is represented by an asterisk (*) character in the index definition, the upper bound of the specified dimension is undefined, and access to `*UBOUND` leads to a runtime error. In order to avoid the runtime error, `*OCCURRENCE` may be used to check against zero occurrences:

    DEFINE DATA LOCAL
      1 #XA(A5/1:*)
    END-DEFINE
    IF *OCCURRENCE (#XA) NE 0 AND *UBOUND(#XA) > 10
      THEN ...

Examples:

    DEFINE DATA LOCAL
      1 #I  (I4)
      1 #J  (I4/1:3)
      1 #XA (A5/*:10,*:20)
    END-DEFINE
    #i  := *UBOUND(#XA)        /* upper bound of 1st dimension is 10
    #i  := *UBOUND(#XA,1)      /* upper bound of 1st dimension is 10
    #i  := *UBOUND(#XA,2)      /* upper bound of 2nd dimension is 20
    #j(1:2):= *UBOUND(#XA,*)   /* upper bound of all dimensions
                               /* (1st and 2nd)
                               /* #J(1) is 10 and #J(2) is 20

See also `*LBOUND` and `*OCCURRENCE`.

### On this page

- *APPLIC-ID
- *APPLIC-NAME
- *COM
- *CONTROL
- *CONVID
- *COUNTER (r)
- *CPU-TIME
- *CURRENT-UNIT
- *DATA
- *DIALOG-ID
- *EDITOR
- *ERROR-LINE
- *ERROR-NR
- *ERROR-TA
- *ETID
- *EVENT
- *ISN (r)
- *LBOUND
- *LENGTH (field)
- *LEVEL
- *LIBRARY-ID
- *LINE
- *LINEX
- *LOAD-LIBRARY-ID
- *NUMBER (r)
- *OCCURRENCE
- *PAGE-EVENT
- *PAGE-LEVEL
- *PROGRAM
- *REINPUT-TYPE
- *ROWCOUNT
- *STARTUP
- *STEPLIB
- *SUBROUTINE
- *THIS-OBJECT
- *TYPE
- *UBOUND