OVLY (Overlay Mask)

The OVLY line command displays and allows editing of the overlay mask information line.

OVERLAY MASK Line Command Syntax

OVLY

The OVLY line command displays the OVLY information line immediately above the line on which the command is entered. The OVLY information line shows the overlay mask, which has an asterisk in each column to be overlaid.

You can specify more than one OVLY information line at the same time. However, there is only one overlay mask. Therefore, changing one overlay mask line changes all overlay mask lines.

If you enter the OVLY line command on the TOP OF DATA line, the error message: INVALID ON THIS LINE is displayed. You can enter the command on any other line.

The overlay mask determines which columns of a source data record are to be copied to the corresponding columns of a destination data record when the O (overlay) line command is used.

Each column of the overlay mask contains:

  • An asterisk (*) in each column to be overlaid.
  • A blank character in each column not to be overlaid.

The overlay mask initially consists of all blanks. You can edit the overlay mask by:

  • Typing over on the OVLY information line.
  • Entering the ( (shift left) and ) (shift right) line commands on the OVLY line.
  • Entering the OVERLAY primary command.

Any characters other than asterisks that you type on the OVLY information line are converted to blanks.

The length of the overlay mask is the logical record length (LRECL) of the data set being edited.

The displayed OVLY information line retains its position within the data set during scrolling. You can remove the OVLY information line from the display using the D (delete) line command or the RESET primary command.

 

Tip: For faster searching, add an asterisk to the end of your partial query. Example: cert*