Define Global Fields screen

The following figure enables you to view, define and change user global fields. It lists all existing user variables in the entered order and displays blank lines for definition of additional user variables. Global fields must start with & (ampersand) and they are retained in the order entered.

Enter option G on the Selection Criteria Menu to display the Define Global Fields Screen screen.

All user variables must be defined before they can be used within the Selection Criteria. The definition of each user variable includes the name, data type and length of the variable.

Important

All references to the Global variable must be removed prior to deleting the Global variable.

Define Global Fields screen

Field Descriptions

Field name

Specifies the name of the global variable. All global variable names must begin with ampersand (&) followed by the name of the variable. The maximum length for a user defined variable name is 27 positions. Variable names should follow COBOL or PL/I naming conventions for field names.

To delete a Global field, simply delete the field name and press Enter.

Char/Num

Specifies the data type of the variable. Valid data types are C for character and N for unsigned numeric data. All numeric values will be treated as unsigned numeric fields.

The data type cannot be changed; if data type is to be changed, the Global variable must be deleted and redefined.

Length

Specifies the number of positions or digits in the variable. Character data may be 1 - 256 bytes. Numeric data may be 1 - 31 digits. The length of a Global variable may be changed after it is defined. However, the length cannot be changed if the variable has already been referenced.

After defining the desired global fields, press END to return to the Selection Criteria Menu.

Primary Commands

The following primary commands are valid on the Define Global Fields Screen:

CANCEL

Returns to the prior screen without saving any changes made on the current screen since the last "update complete" response.

END

Saves all changes and returns to the prior screen.

UP

Scrolls upward through the global fields list.

DOWN

Scrolls downward through the global fields list.