*EDION (DISK I/O)

*EDION[={separator}]

This disk I/O control permits easy reading or writing of electronic data interchange formatted records. This control affects all variables remaining in the list. The *EDION control is automatically canceled at the end of a statement.

{separator] is an optional decimal number, Character String Variable, or character Literal defining the value that separates the fields. if no character is given or the variable is a Null String, an asterisk (*) is used.

When *EDION is used in a WRITE statement, each field after the first field is separated using the *EDION character.

When *EDION is used in a READ statement, each DIM variable is filled with the data for each field, the field separator being the *EDION character. DIM variables are the only variables allowed while a *EDION control is active. If other variables are used, the results are unpredictable.

The EOS flag is set if data is lost for any given DIM variable after the *EDION control is encountered.

The *CDFON and *EDION are mutually exclusive. Both cannot be active at the same time.

See Also: List Controls (Disk I/O), Disk I/O Instructions