Variable assignments

You can assign values to a variable to be used by a prompt. You can assign a variable a specific value, the result of an arithmetic operation, or the result of a function.

A variable might need a specific value before a statement can be successfully executed, or you might need to assign the value of one variable to another variable.

Syntax



Arithmetic operations

Add (+)
Adds two values. The sum is assigned to your variable.
Subtract (-)
Subtracts the second value from the first. The difference is assigned to your variable.
Multiply (*)
Multiplies two values. The product is assigned to your variable.
Divide (/)
Divides the first value by the second value. The result is assigned to your variable. If the second value is zero, the result is Overflow.
Modulus (%)
Divides the first value by the second value, the remainder is assigned to your variable. Both values must be integers, or the result is Data Mismatch.

For example, if the first value is 10 and second value is 3, the Modulus operation calculates 10 divided by 3 = 3 remainder 1. A value of 1 is assigned to your variable.

If the second value is zero, the result is Overflow.

Functions

Absolute.
Assigns the absolute value of a number to your variable.

For example, if the value is -5, the value 5 is assigned to your variable.

Round.
Rounds the value at the digit specified by position. The rounded value is assigned to your variable. Position must be an integer, or else the result is Data Mismatch.

Round operates on numbers. If position is positive, the number is rounded at that digit place to the right of the decimal place. If position is negative, the number is rounded at that digit place to the left of the decimal place. Numbers ending in 5 are rounded to the next higher value.

For example, if the value is 135.789 and position is 1, the value 135.8 is assigned to your variable. If position is -1, the value 140 is assigned. If position is 0, the value 136 is assigned.

Truncate.
Truncates the value of your number at the digit specified by the position. The truncated value is assigned to your variable. Position must be an integer, or the result is a Data Mismatch.

Truncate operates on numbers. If position is positive, the number is truncated at that digit place to the right of the decimal place. If position is negative, the number is rounded down at that digit place to the left of the decimal place.

For example, if the number is 345.678 and position is 1, the value 345.6 is assigned to your variable. If position is -1, the value 340 is assigned. If position is 0, the value 345 is assigned.

Concatenate.
Appends the second string to the first string and assigns the new string to your variable.

Concatenate is a string operation. If the first string is a constant number, it is treated as a string, not a mathematical value.

Index.
Selects a character in string and assigns it to your variable. The characters in string are numbered from left to right, starting at 1. The character is selected by the number in position. If the number position in points beyond either end of the string, then the result will be an empty string.

For example, if string is 4085551212 and position is 3, the value 8 is assigned to your variable.

Index is a string operation. If string is a number, it is treated as a string, not a numeric value.

Length.
Counts the number of characters in string and assigns the result to your variable.

LENGTH is a string operation. If string is a number, it is treated as a string, not a numeric value.

Left.
Starts at the left-hand character in string and counts over the number of characters in num_characters. The resulting string is assigned to your variable.

For example, if string is “caller” and num_characters is 4, the value assigned to your variable is “call.”

Left is a string operation. If string is a number, it is treated as a string, not a numeric value.

Right.
Starts at the right-hand character in string and counts over the number of characters in num_characters. The resulting string is assigned to your variable.

For example, if string is “telephone” and num_characters is 5, the value “phone“ is assigned to your variable.

Right is a string operation. If string is a number, it is treated as a string, not a numeric value.

Search.
Searches string for search_pattern (a shorter string). If the search pattern is found, the position of the start of search_pattern in string is assigned to your variable. If search_pattern is not found, 0 is assigned to your variable.

For example, if string is 5551212 and search_pattern is 51, the value 3 is assigned to your variable.

Search is a string operation. If either string or search_pattern is a number, it is treated as a string, not a numeric value.

TOUpper.
Capitalizes all the letters in string and assigns the capitalized string to your variable.
ToLower.
Makes sure none of the letters in string are capitalized and assigns the lowercase string to your variable.

Examples 

count_out = count_in % 100 ;

The arithmetic operation modulus (%) is used to set the value of the variable count_out.

num = FUNCTION TRUNCATE (acct, -1) ;

The value of acct is truncated to the tens position and assigned to the variable num. If the value of acct is 12897, num is assigned a value of 12890.

Procedure

Use the following procedure to assign a value to a variable:

  1. Selecting the Assign Data statement: Click Statements —> Assignment.

    The system displays the Assignment Definition window.

  2. Specifying the result variable: Type the name of the result variable next to Result, or click Result to select the variable.
  3. Selecting the assignment type: Click the push button next to Assignment Type, then click:
    • Assign to specify a direct assignment to the Result variable
    • Arithmetic to specify an assignment from the result of a specified arithmetic operation to the Result variable.
    • Function to specify an assignment from the result of a specified function to the Result variable.
  4. Specifying an Assign assignment: To specify a direct assignment, type the name of the variable to be assigned to Result in the Value field, or click Value to display the Term Definition window to select the variable.
  5. Specifying an Arithmetic assignment: To specify an arithmetic assignment:
    • Type the name of the left operand variable in the Left Operand field, or click Left Operand to display the Term Definition window to select the operand.
    • Click the push button next to Operator to select the required operator (Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide, or Mod (modulus)).
    • Type the name of the right operand variable in the Right Operand field, or click Right Operand to select the operand.
  6. Specifying a Function assignment: To specify a function assignment:
    • Type the function name in the Function field, or click Function to display the Function Definition window to select the function.

      In the Function Definition window, the system displays the parameters, if any, for the selected function.

    • Supplying parameters: In the Function Definition window:
      • Type a value for each required parameter displayed under Parameters, or click the parameter name to select the value.
      • Click OK.

        The system displays the Assignment Definition window again with the specified function in the Function field.

    • Adding the statement to the prompt: Click OK.

      The assignment statement is added to the prompt.

Parent topic: Prompt statement descriptions