Guardian Procedure Calls Reference Manual

O Overflow
P Plus
Z Zero
A AbsoluteString location specifier:Character 2
F Floating
P Prior
an unsigned nonzero integer constant that specifies the actual character position within the field at
which the string is to begin.
n
any character string enclosed in quotation marks or apostrophes.string
NOTE: Only location type An can be used in combination with the O condition.
Conditions
The condition specifier states that the string is to be added to the field if its value is minus, zero,
positive, or null, or if a field overflow has occurred. A null condition takes precedence over negative,
positive, and zero conditions; the overflow test is done after those for the other conditions, and
therefore precedence is not significant. Alphanumeric data elements are considered to be positive
or null only.
A decoration can have more than one condition specifier. If multiple condition specifiers are
entered, an "or" condition is understood. For example, "ZPA2‘+'" specifies that the string is to be
inserted in the field if the data value is equal to or greater than zero.
Locations
The location specifier indicates where the string is to be added to the field.
The A specifier states that the string is to begin in absolute position n within the field. The leftmost
position of the field is position 1.
The F specifier states that, once the number of data characters in the field has been established,
the string is to occupy the position or positions (for right-justified fields) immediately to the left of
the leftmost data character. This is reversed for left-justified elements.
The P specifier states that, before normal formatting, the string is to be inserted in the rightmost (for
right-justified fields) end of the field; data characters are shifted to the left an appropriate number
of positions. This is reversed for left-justified fields.
Processing
Decoration processing is as follows:
1. The data element is determined to have a negative, positive, zero, or null value; a null condition
takes precedence over the other attributes.
2. If a P location decoration is specified and its condition is satisfied, its string is inserted in the
field.
3. Normal formatting is performed.
4. If A or F decorations are specified and their conditions met, they are applied.
5. If an attempt is made to transfer more characters to the field than can be accommodated (in
Step 2, 3, or 4), the overflow condition is set. If an overflow decoration has been specified,
it is applied.
NOTE: Only location type An can be used with the O condition.
These examples illustrate these considerations:
ResultData ValueFormat
| 1000.00 |1000.00[MF'<',MP'>',ZPP' ']F12.2
1568 Formatter Edit Descriptors