sys.get_afield()

Purpose:

sys.get_afield() returns an alpha value from an alpha field by name.

Usage:

aval = sys.get_afield([<asprog>], <asfilename>, <fieldname>);

Arguments:

asprog <asprog> - The asprog name of the program to use to find <asfilename> and <fieldname>.

This is an optional argument, and if not used, the current program is assumed.

alpha <asfilename> - The asfile name of the file containing <fieldname>. This must be passed in quotes, or in an alpha variable.

alpha <fieldname> - The name of the field who's value you want. This must be passed in quotes, or in an alpha variable. Dimesioned variables can be used also using a format like "field[n]"

Returns:

alpha - <aval> - The value in field <fieldname>

"" - Possible error, but could also mean that <fieldname> has the value "".

Where Used:

sys.get_afield() can be called from anywhere. It may be used in report/screen writers that do not know what fields they are using until runtime.

Example:

Description:

sys.get_afield() locates the field identified by <fieldname> and returns the value in it. sys.get_afield() is meant to be used when you don't know the field to get until runtime.

Bugs/Features/Comments:

If <fieldname> is not an alpha type, no error is indicated, and a null string will be returned.

See Also:

sys.get_fmtfield()

sys.get_ffield()

sys.get_ifield()

sys.put_fmtfield()

sys.put_afield()

sys.put_ffield()

sys.put_ifield()