MASK

The MASK line command displays and allows edit of the MASK information display.

MASK Line Command Syntax

Enter the MASK line command to display the MASK information line immediately above the line on which the command is entered. The MASK information line shows the input mask used to initialize new records created by the I (insert) line command.

Multiple MASK line commands can be executed on different lines at the same time. However, there is only one input mask. Therefore, changing one input MASK line changes all input MASK lines. The input mask initially consists of blank characters for character fields and the value zero for numeric fields provided a layout is/was in use during this edit session, otherwise the mask is all blank. You can edit the input mask by:

• Typing over on the MASK information line.
• Using the ( (shift left) and) (shift right) line commands to change the input mask length.

You can use the O (overlay) line command on the MASK information line to copy data from an existing record into the input mask. Overlaying the input mask does not affect the length of the mask line.

You can edit the input mask also in formatted mode.

When editing a data set containing variable-length records, the length of the input mask determines the initial length of records added with the I (insert) line command.

When character or vertical formatted modes are invoked, the length of the input mask is set to the defined record length.

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