This is annoying: you can create DM variables with names longer than 12 characters, but you can't use them in [some?] functions.

-SET &ECHO=ALL;

-SET &PRD_END_DT = '20070131';
-TYPE &PRD_END_DT

-SET &PRD_DTX = LCWORD(17,CHGDAT('YYMD', 'MXDYY', &PRD_END_DT.EVAL, 'A17'), 'A17');
-TYPE &PRD_DTX

-SET &PERIOD_END_DT = '20070131';
-TYPE &PERIOD_END_DT

-SET &PERIOD_DTX = LCWORD(17,CHGDAT('YYMD', 'MXDYY', &PERIOD_END_DT.EVAL, 'A17'), 'A17');
-TYPE &PERIOD_DTX

And you can't plant one of these in an HTMLFORM:

-SET &ECHO=ALL;

-SET &PRD_END_DT    = '20070131';
-SET &PERIOD_END_DT = '20070131';

-HTMLFORM BEGIN
!IBI.AMP.PRD_END_DT;
!IBI.AMP.PERIOD_END_DT;
-HTMLFORM END

Not very consistent. Has this been cleaned up in versions newer than 5.3.2?

Francis,

There was a case raised on this issue and I believe that it was fixed from 7.1.3 (?) onwards. I remember checking that specifc problem at my last client.

Unless of course BGH reintroduce it as is their wont!!!!

T

I tested that 2nd bit for you, my developeer friend, in 716, and it indeed doesn't work; i get the first var, not the 2nd.
I tested all your first bits, and they do work.

Reintroduction is the new progression !!

Or is it that the UWS were not fully tested (surely not)!

T

The manual for 7.1 still states that a DM variable can be up to 12 characters. I assume this does NOT include the hyphen "-".

-THISWORKS (9 characters not including -)

-THISWORKSTOO (12 characters not including -)

-THISISTOOLONG (13 characters not including -)

Mickey,

A few too many sherbets last night? Those are labels and not variables.

Pass the bottle please

T

Not so much sherbert but lack of coffee.

Sorry guys. I was looking at labels the other day in the manual and I guess my brain connections got crisscrossed.

I'm going to go get coffee now.

I'd put it down to the DST changes three weeks ahead of time

Black no sugar for me please

T

what the sam hill is a UWS?

Susannah,

The UWS manual was one that we kept close to hand and contained all of the User Written Subroutines. It also held information on how to create a UWS and tips on compilation etc.

Now we have the FUNCTION syntax in WF the need to create a new UWS is somewhat negated but the UWS manual (now renamed the "Using Functions" manual) is still one to be kept nearby as it contains all the functions such as AYMD, CHGDAT, CHKPCK, HEXBYT, BYTVAL etc.

T