Access
To display, create or modify the general characteristics of a function of the current application area, you must select either:
the corresponding context-sensitive menu option (or the equivalent button) in the Functions tab of the Object manager.
the corresponding context-sensitive menu option of the Repository - Functions dialog box of the 4GL Editor.
Data entry
Name
Name of the function.
This name must be a valid function name (as defined by IBM), unique in the environment.
Length: 8 characters maximum.
Mandatory entry.
Description (function)
Description clearly identifying the function.
Length: 50 characters maximum.
Mandatory entry.
Description (parameters)
Description clearly identifying the parameter.
Length: 50 characters maximum.
Mandatory entry.
Length
Alphanumeric parameters: 32767 characters maximum.
Numeric parameters: 30 positions maximum.
Mandatory entry.
Dec. (number of decimal positions)
Alphanumeric parameters: this field must be left empty.
Numeric parameters: mandatory entry.
For a numeric parameter, the number of decimal positions must be less than or equal to the parameter length.
Seq. (sequence number)
Sequence number of the parameter in the list and in the call sequence.
This number must range between 0 and 99.
If this field is left blank, the parameter is added at the end of the list.
If the number entered is already assigned, the parameter is inserted with the number entered, and any equal or greater numbers are incremented so that there are not two parameters with the same number.
Optional entry.
Code
The DDS code of the parameter is not applicable for an input parameter, and is mandatory for an output parameter.
Length: 6 characters maximum.
Lowercase letters are forbidden.
Radio buttons
Visibility
The visibility of a function can be either public or private. Only the owner of the function, or a software engineer with modification authorities, can change the visibility.
A public function cannot be changed into a private function if it is attached to more than one application area.
In creation mode, the visibility is by default set to public.
Lists
Input parameters
List of the input parameters of the function, classified by ascending sequence number.
These parameters can be modified or deleted by clicking the corresponding buttons.
The list can contain 10 parameters maximum, or can be empty (input parameters are not mandatory).
Single-selection list.
Output parameters
List of the output parameters of the function, classified by ascending sequence number.
These parameters can be modified or deleted by clicking the corresponding buttons.
The list can contain from 1 to 10 output parameters.
Single-selection list.
Buttons
Add
This button adds the parameter entered in the input fields to the corresponding list.
It is not active when the mandatory input fields (description and length, and DDS code for an output parameter) are empty.
Modify
This button updates the corresponding list by saving the modifications made on the selected parameter in the input fields.
It is not active when no parameter is selected in the list.
Delete
This button deletes the selected parameter from the corresponding list.
It is not active when no parameter is selected in the list.
Information
This button opens a dialog box displaying information on the current function, such as the name of the software engineer-owner, the dates and times of creation and modification.
Comments
This button opens a dialog box for entering a comment text which will be associated with the current function.
Enter/Create/Modify (validation)
The Enter button (in display mode) closes the dialog box.
The Create button (in creation mode) or Modify button (in modification mode) validates the dialog box.
The various fields of the dialog box are verified. If all are valid, the function definition is updated in the database before the box is closed; otherwise, an error message is displayed.
Cancel
This button closes the dialog box without validating the choices made.
Keyboard shortcut: Esc.