INPUTD Process

To access this process:

See this process in the Command Table.

Process Overview

Creates a file containing a Data Definition only. Such files may be used in subsequent data input and processing functions.

Use of the ! Character

The ! character, entered at the FIELDNAME > prompt, normally is used to terminate Data Definition entry. Entered at any other prompt, the ! character has the effect of canceling the entry for the existing fieldname, and dropping control back to the FIELDNAME > prompt.  

Within a macro, the Data Definition cannot be terminated by the ! character, as this will terminate the INPFML process; instead another special purpose character (such as [) may be used. 

Prompts

When INPUTD is run, you are prompted for the following information in the Command toolbar:

  • > FILE DESCRIPTION >

     Up to 24 character field 'name'.  May be upper or lower case text, numbers, or special symbols.  Internal blanks in field names should be avoided, and _ / . - used instead. Fields should not start with !, *, & or @, as such names will give rise to syntax problems under some circumstances.

  • > TYPE A/N (N) >

    A for alphanumeric field, N or return for numeric field.

  • > LENGTH (1) >

    Length in characters for alphanumeric fields only. Question omitted for numeric fields.

  • > STORED? (Y) >

    Y or return for explicit fields, N for implicit (file constant) fields. Implicit fields are not supplied in data records.

  • > DEFAULT >

    Default value to replace absent data (in processes which carry out this replacement). Just <return> for blank default value for alphanumeric and zero for numeric fields. For implicit fields the constant values must be entered.

The above is repeated for each field until ! entered for NEXT FIELDNAME.  Then:

  • > CONFIRM? >

    OK, ok, YES, Y or y to end DD.

Output Files

Name

I/O Status

Required

Type

Description

OUT

Output

Yes

Table

File to be created.

Example

!INPUTD &OUT(ASSAYDD)INPUT DATA DESCRIPTION FOR FILE AssayDD .
FILE DESCRIPTION >(2A4,2X,2F8.2,F6.2)<return>
Here a format is stored in the data definition for 
use in the INPUTF process, 
to load data from external files.
SUPPLY DETAILS OF FIELDS AS FOLLOWS-
NEXT 
FIELDNAME     >    BHID    <return>
FIELD     1   >    BHID
---------------------
TYPE A/N(N)   >    A       <return>
> LENGTH (1)    >    8       <return>
STORED? (Y)   >            <return>
> DEFAULT       >    DUMMY   <return>
BHID is an explicit alphanumeric field, 8 characters long, with a default 
 value of DUMMY.
NEXT
FIELDNAME     >    FROM    <return>
> FIELD     2   >    FROM
--------------------
TYPE A/N(N)   >            <return>
> STORED? (Y)   >            <return>
>DEFAULT       >            <return>
NEXT
FIELDNAME     >    TO      <return>
> FIELD 3       >    TO
---------------------
TYPE A/N(N)   >            <return>
STORED? (Y)   >            <return>
>DEFAULT       >            <return>
FROM and TO are explicit numeric fields, with zero default values.
NEXT
FIELDNAME     >    %ASH    <return>
> FIELD     4   >    %ASH
---------------------
TYPE A/N(N)   >            <return>
> STORED? (Y)   >            <return>
>DEFAULT       >            <return>
ASH is an explicit numeric field. Because the first character is a special 
 character (%) then the user is asked if the Data Definition is being terminated. 
 Because the answer is just<return>, which means NO, then the %ASH 
 name is accepted.NEXT
FIELDNAME     >    DENSITY 
 <return>
FIELD     5   >    DENSITY
---------------------
TYPE A/N(N)   >            <return>
STORED? (Y)   >    n       <return>
DEFAULT       >    2.6     <return>
DENSITY is an implicit numeric field, with a value throughout the file 
 of 2.6.
NEXT
FIELDNAME     >    !       <return>
> END OF DD
CONFIRM ?     >    OK      <return>(Listing of Data Definition)

Error and Warning Messages

Message

Description

>>> BLANK FIRST CHARACTER IN FIELD NAME - ILLEGAL <<<

Blank field names are not permitted. If one is entered, the FIELDNAME > prompt is given again.

>>> FIELD NAME ALREADY EXISTS - IGNORED <<<

The same field name cannot appear twice in a file; if it does, the FIELDNAME > prompt is given again.

>>> MAX FIELDS - DATA DEFINITION TERMINATED <<<

The maximum number of words occupied by fields is 64. Each numeric field takes 1 word, and each set of 4 characters in an alphanumeric field also takes one word. If the maximum number of words is exceeded, the Data Definition entry will automatically be terminated; any multi-word alphanumeric field being entered at this point may be incomplete.

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