IP

Prompts for and accepts input from the terminal.

Syntax

IP{c{r}}

Syntax Elements

c is an optional prompt character.

If c is used, it remains in effect until reset with a new IBN, IBP, IN, or IP command.

If c is not used, it defaults to the last prompt character used or to a colon (:) if no other character is specified.

r is a direct or indirect reference to a buffer or select register where the input data is to be placed.

Operation

IP{c} places data in the active input buffer, replacing the existing parameter pointed to by the buffer pointer.

IPcr places input in the buffer or select register specified by r. The prompt character is required in this case.

Leading and trailing blanks are removed and embedded blanks are replaced with a single attribute mark, thereby replacing the current parameter in the input buffer with multiple parameters. If the input is to a file buffer attribute (as specified by r) and contains embedded blanks, the embedded blanks are replaced with a single attribute mark as above. The attributes then replace consecutive attributes in the item. For example:

If you enter "ABC   DEF   GHI" when the command, IP?&3.2  is executed, the values "ABC", "DEF", and "GHI" would replace attributes two, three, and four, respectively, in file buffer 3.

If you want to retain blanks input at the terminal and treat the input text as a single attribute, use the IBP command.

Pressing RETURN only in response to an input prompt nulls the current parameter as pointed to by the buffer pointer.

The input buffer pointer does not change position after an IP command.

Example 1

Command Input	PIB Before	PIB After
IP? 3-93	UPDATE^INV	UPDATE^INV^3-9393

Example 2

Command Input	PIB Before	PIB After
IP:   XXX   YY	3^234^56^78^	3^XXX^YY^56^78

Example 3

Command Input	PIB Before	PIB After
IP? RETURN	ABC^DEF^GHI	ABC^^GHI

Example 4

Command Input	File Buffer 1 Before	File Buffer 1 After
IP:&1.1 JONES	000 AB-221 001 SMITH 002 2500	000 AB-221 001 JONES 002 2500

Example 5

Command Input	File Buffer 4 Before	File Buffer 4 After
IP?&4.1 22 RED PEN	000 2831 001 15 002 BROWN 003 PENCIL	000 2831 001 22 002 RED 003 PEN