BOUNDS (BNDS, BND)

The BOUNDS command restricts the scope of editing commands to a specified range of columns.

Use the BOUNDS command without parameters to cause the edit bounds to be set to encompass an entire record. This is the default setting of the edit bounds when character edit is invoked. The left bound is set to column 1 and the right bound is set to the last column, defined by the logical record length (LRECL). For variable-length records, the right bound is actually set beyond the last column, to permit records to be expanded and contracted (with the shift line commands) within the full logical record length.

The command is available in the Browse and Edit functions of Character and Vertical Formatted modes.

left-column, right-column

Specifies valid left and right column numbers separated by a blank that sets the left and right bounds (endpoints) of editing. Subsequent editing commands are restricted to the specified range of columns including both bounds.

When you enter a column value, you must enter both a right and a left column value; otherwise, File-AID displays the message: ENTER RIGHT BOUND, and the command has no effect. The left-column number must be lower than the right-column number; otherwise, File-AID displays the message: BOUNDS COMMAND ERROR.

To limit editing to a single column, enter the same column number for both the left-column and the right-column parameters.

Guidelines

Use the PROFILE command to display the current BOUNDS values. Since the record length (and thus the distance between edit bounds) can be very large, the current setting of the edit bounds is also displayed as a pair of decimal numbers in the profile information lines. Note: BOUNDS values are not retained.

The edit bounds may also be set on the BNDS information line, which is displayed with the BNDS (bounds) line command.

The edit bounds limit the scope of the CHANGE, EXCLUDE, and FIND primary commands (unless a specific column range is specified with the commands).

A right shift past the right bound causes the shifted data to be lost. A left shift causes the data shifted beyond the left bound to be lost.

A left scroll stops at the left bound, and a right scroll stops at the right bound. A subsequent left or right scroll goes beyond the bound (assuming the bound is not at the leftmost or rightmost position).