Pathway/iTS SCREEN COBOL Reference Manual (H06.10+, J06.03+)

Data Division
HP NonStop Pathway/iTS SCREEN COBOL Reference Manual—426750-003
5-73
Clauses in Message Description Entry
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For a multiple-field message there is a PICTURE clause in each field. The
maximum length of the message is the sum of the individual field lengths.
There cannot be a PICTURE clause in the 01 level data item in a multiple-field
message.
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For FIXED and FIXED-DELIMITED formats, the message fields are fixed to the
declared size; therefore, the message size is a fixed length.
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FIXED format message lengths are the sum of their individual field lengths.
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FIXED-DELIMITED messages are the sum of their individual field lengths plus
the following:
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If the FIELD-DELIMITER clause for the message is not OFF, add one byte for
each possible field delimiter.
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If the MESSAGE-DELIMITER clause for the message is not OFF, add one or
two bytes for the message delimiter, depending on the size of the delimiter.
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For VARYING1 and VARYING2 formats, the TCP maintains the count of the actual
number of data characters in the message.
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On input, the TCP expects and removes a one-byte or two-byte message
length count from the front of the message.
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On output, the TCP prefixes a one-byte or two-byte message length count.
Trailing blanks are truncated.
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For DELIMITED formats, the length of each field can vary in size from 0 to the
declared length. If the FIELD-DELIMITER clause is not off, each field will be
separated by a one-character field delimiter. If the MESSAGE-DELIMITER clause
is not off, the message can be optionally terminated by either a one-character or
two-character message delimiter.
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On input, the TCP disassembles a message based on the declarations in the
FIELD and MESSAGE-DELIMITER clauses.
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With the exception of the last field in the message, field boundaries are
determined by the field delimiter or by a field's declared length if FIELD-
DELIMITER is off.
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The last field in the message can be delimited by the message delimiter or by
the physical end of the message if MESSAGE-DELIMITER is off.
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On output, the TCP assembles a message out of the message's declared
fields. You can control a field's actual length with the RESULTING COUNT
clause. In the absence of RESULTING COUNT, the TCP uses the field's
declared length. Trailing blanks are truncated.
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If field and message delimiters have not been disabled, the TCP separates
fields with a field delimiter and terminates messages with a message delimiter.