RPG IV

Defining Data with Definition Specifications - Chapter 3

Objectives:
Define work fields, data structures and other data items Set the initial value for data items Distinguish among program variables, literals and constants

Definition Specifcations
Define all fields in your program Specify name, length, and type Input Specifications define fields from database Definition Specifications define work fields or stand-alone fields

Numeric Literal
The literal may include a decimal point and/or sign. The sign must be the left most character of the literal. The literal may include digits 0 thru 9. The literal should never contain commas, dollar signs, or percent signs. The literal must not be enclosed in apostrophes.

Character Literals
To indicate that a value is a character literal simply enclose it with apostrophes.

Figurative Constants
*BLANK(S) - fills a character field with blanks *HIVAL - fills a character with XFFFF (all bits on), fills a numeric field with all 9s and + sign *LOVAL - fills a character with x000(all bits off), fills a numeric field with all 9s and - sign *ZERO(S) - fills a numeric field with zeros *ALL - causes a string to be repeated in a field *OFF - character value of 0 *ON - character value of 1 *NULL- used with pointers

Assigning Initial Values to Data

Specify the value using the INZ keyword in the fields definition The value is indicated using a numeric or character literal or a figurative constant

Zoned Decimal and Packed Decimal

Zoned decimal requires a full byte of storage Packed-decimal use a compressed storage format Integers and binary numbers require even less memory than the decimal data types do

Date, Time and Timestamp

Timestamp is a combination of date and time Define a standalone field, put a D (for dates), T (for times) and Z (for timestamp) in column 40

Indicator Data Type

Refered to in other languages as Boolean data type Code N in column 40 You can initialize to *ON or *OFF

Defining Constants
A named constant differs from a standalone in two respects:
Its value never changes during processing It is defined with no specified length

Code the letter C, for constant, in column 24 Enter the value in the Keywords area

Defining Data Structures

Subdivide fields into subfields Change field data types Data structure has two parts, the data structure header and the definition for the subfields DS coded in 24-25 on D spec signals the beginning of a data structure Enter name of data structure in 7-21

Defining Data-Structure Subfields

Absolute notation, uses From and To to indicate the beginning and ending postions of the subfield Length notation, leaves From blank and enters the subfield length in the To positions Length notation is prefered

Overlapping Subfields
Locations of subfields can overlap Absolute notation clearly indicates the overlap with the From and To Length notation uses the keyword OVERLAY

Points to Remember
RPG IV requires you to define all fields your programs will use Input fields are defined using Input Specifications and standalone fields are defined using Definition Specifications You can use the keyword INZ to assign a value to a field

Points to Remember (cont)

Figurative constants are built-in literals with specified values. Definition Specifications are used to define named constants as well as standalone fields RPG IV supports many data types; character, numeric, date, and boolean Data structures let you subdivide fields into subfields and redefine fields