Using Expressions in Commands and Phrases

You can use an expression in various commands and phrases. An expression may not exceed 40 lines and must end with a semicolon, except in WHERE and WHEN phrases, in which the semicolon is optional.

The commands that support expressions, and their basic syntax, are summarized here. For complete syntax with an explanation, see the applicable documentation.

You can use an expression when you:

• Create a temporary field, and assign a value to that field. The field can be created in a Master File using the DEFINE attribute, or using a DEFINE or COMPUTE command:
  • DEFINE command preceding a report request:

    DEFINE FILE filename 
     fieldname  [/format] = expression;
       .
       .
       .
    END

  • DEFINE attribute in a Master File:

    DEFINE fieldname [/format] = expression;$

  • COMPUTE command in a report request:

    COMPUTE fieldname  [/format] = expression;

• Define record selection criteria and criteria that control report formatting.

  {WHERE|IF} logical_expression[;]   
        WHEN logical_expression[;]

• Determine branching in Dialogue Manager, or assign a value to a Dialogue Manager amper variable.

  -IF logical_expression [THEN] GOTO label1 [ELSE GOTO label2];

  -SET &name = expression;

• Perform a calculation with the RECAP command in the Financial Modeling Language (FML).

  RECAP name [(n)] [/format] = expression;