Category: Procedures

The Original Internet Language

How To Use Variables

A variable is a programming object defined in the Object Dictionary for the application. Variables are used to store values temporarily during an application session. A variable is assigned a size and a data type in its definition, but until assigned a value during an application session, the variable is valueless (that is, $Null).

How To Use Named Constants

A named constant is a programming object defined in the Object Dictionary for the application. The constant’s value is part of its definition. By using named constants in place of literal constants in application programs, you ensure that a constant’s value can be quickly, easily, and universally changed, if necessary.  

How To Switch Windows Under Keystroke Control

The Alt+F6 keystroke combination cycles the user through all available windows if the current window is not modal. Its effect is similar to clicking the mouse to make a non-current window current. The Ctrl+F6 keystroke combination cycles through all available sibling windows of a child window.

How To Construct Hex Codes

Within a quoted character string, a backslash immediately followed by two characters that are either digits from 0 to 9 or letters from A(a) to F(f) are treated as a hex code. The text string containing the hex code must be enclosed in quotation marks. Example of Using Hex Codes set output printeroutput “F”;    % selects…
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How To Take Advantage of Rounding

The results of value expressions are rounded automatically, but only after the entire expression has been evaluated. (During evaluation, full decimal values are used.) The final result takes on the number of decimal places found in the operand with the most decimal places. The rounded result is further rounded if it is being assigned to…
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How To Construct a Validation Rule for Date Fields

The available pattern symbols for constructing date validation rules are digits used to form numbers that constitute valid dates. The input data must conform to the specified date(s). The available syntax characters for constructing date validation rules are – Denote a range of dates. | Separates alternative dates or ranges of dates. Examples of Date…
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How To Use the Null Property

When certain atomic expressions (variable name, field name, form field name, or formal parameter name) are used before being assigned values, or if the values are unknown, those expressions are considered to be $Null. $Null is a property indicating a state of valuelessness; $Null is not itself a value. The null string is a value…
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How To Name Objects

Names for objects defined in the Object Dictionary must conform to the following conventions: The name can be from 1 to 18 characters in length. The name can contain only letters (a-z, A-Z), digits (0-9), dollar signs ($), and underscores (_). The name must begin with a letter or a dollar sign. Most names must…
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How To Construct a Validation Rule for Numeric Fields

The available pattern symbols for constructing numeric validation rules are digits used to form specific numbers. Numbers indicate value(s) to which the input data must conform. +, – used to specify the sign of a number. period used as a decimal point. The available syntax characters for constructing numeric validation rules are – Denote a…
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How To Call Procedures

The syntax of a call to a procedure is procname («expression») Parameters procname The name assigned to the procedure in its PROCEDURE or LOCALPROCEDURE command. expression Any value expression. Comments The list of expressions must be enclosed in parentheses; even when no expressions are required, the parentheses must still appear. At the prompt level, you…
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