Post-Relational Database Command Reference
BASIC Language Reference
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A Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
ABORTStops execution and returns to command level.
ABSReturns the unsigned value.
ABSSReturns the unsigned value for each element of a dynamic array.
ACOSReturns the arc-cosine.
ADDSAdds two dynamic arrays together
ANDBoolean AND.
ASINCalculates the arc-sine.
ASSIGNEDDetermines if a variable has been assigned.
ATANCalculates the arc-tangent.
AUTHORIZATIONUsed to change the user ID for SQL transactions.
B Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
BEGIN CASEBEGIN CASE and END CASE are designed to bracket a set of CASE statements.
BEGIN TRANSACTIONManages the isolation level.
BITANDPerforms a logical AND at the bit level on two values.
BITNOTPerforms a logical NOT at the bit level on two values.
BITORPerforms a logical OR at the bit level on two values.
BITRESETSets the specified bit to zero.
BITSETSets the specified bit to one.
BITTESTTests the specified bit, returning a zero or one.
BITXORPerforms a logical Exclusive OR at the bit level on two values.
BREAK KEYDetermins whether or not a user can issue a break command to interrupt the execution of a program.
C Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
CALLTransfer control to a subroutine, with the expectation that control will transfer back when the subroutine encounters a RETURN.
CASECASE statements are a cleaner form of cascading IF-THEN-ELSE.
CATSConcaternates strings in each corresponding element of a pair of dynamic arrays.
CHAINUse this command to transfer control from on program to another with no method for returning.
CHANGEChanges one string for another.
CHARUsed to produce a single character based on its ASCII value.
CHECKSUMPerforms an CRC checksum.
CLEARDEPRECIATED. Used to clear all variables. This hides typographic errors in variables and is considered poor programming practice.
CLEARDATAClears all data stacked by the DATA statement.
CLEARFILEDeletes all the records in a table's data section or dict section.
CLEARSELECTClears one or all active select lists.
CLOSEReleases all locks related to a file variable.
CLOSESEQReleases all locks associated with a sequential file variable.
COL1Only works in conjunction with a FIELD statment.
COL2Only works in conjunction with the FIELD statement.
COMMITFinalizes a TRANSACTION set.
COMMONUsed to declare variables which persist after the completion of a called routine.
COMPAREEvaluates two strings and returns a -1, 0, or 1.
CONTINUESkips to NEXT or RETURN in a loop.
CONVERTConverts each individual character in the <was> string to the <willbe> string character based on position in each string
COSReturns the cosine.
COSHCalculates the hyberbolic cosine.
COUNTCounts the number of delimiters.
COUNTSCounts instances in a dynamic array.
CREATEUsed with OPENSEQ to create new O/S files (Types 1 and 19).
CRTManages output to terminals.
D Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
DATAAdds data to the stack, which will be consumed by the next EXECUTE.
DATEReturns the current date in internal format.
DCOUNTCounts the number of delimited fields.
DEBUGInvokes step-through mode for testing.
DEFFUNMakes a function available withing a program. The function must exist in its own item.
DELDeletes elements from a dynamic array.
DELETEThere are two delete commands. Both are explained here.
DELETELISTRemoves a record from the &SAVESLISTS& table.
DELETEUThis command acquires an update lock before deleting the record.
DIMEstablishes the size of a dimensioned array.
DIMENSIONEstablishes the size of a dimensioned array.
DISPLAYManages output to terminals.
DIVDivides and throws away the remainder.
DIVSInterates division between two dynamic arrays and results in a new dynamic array.
DODO is a looping command.
DOWNCASEConverts a string to lowercase, leaving all non-alphabetics unchanged.
DQUOTESurronds a string with Double quotes.
DTXConvert Decimal to Hex.
E Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
EBCDICConverts string to IBM ebcdic code.
ECHOControls whether or not output to terminal (standard out) is suppressed.
ELSEIt is used only in conjunction with another branching command. THEN is the "Yes" path. ELSE is the "No" path.
ENDUsed by several different branching commands to end a conditional block of code. It can also be used to establish physical end of program, a point after which the compiler will ignore all text in a program.
END CASEBEGIN CASE and END CASE are designed to bracket a set of CASE statements.
END ELSEIt is used only in conjunction with another branching command. THEN is the "Yes" path. END ELSE is the "No" path.
ENTERUse this command to transfer control from on program to another with no method for returning.
EOFDetermines if you are at the end of the command line parameters.
EQSCompares each element in the first dynamic array with each element in the second dynamic array, returning a dynamic array full of 1s (matches) and 0s (mismatches).
EQUThis command is used to define literals.
EQUATEThis command is used to define literals.
EREPLACEReplaces one or more instances of a substring in a larger string.
ERRMSGFormats errors using the ERRMSG data.
EXCHANGEConverts a character based on it's hexidecimal value.
EXECUTEExecutes a command as if issued from the command line.
EXITAllows process to exit out of the innermost loop. Should be managed by proper use of the inherent UNTIL / WHILE structure.
EXPReturns the exponential value.
EXTRACTExtracts data from a dynamic array.
F Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
FADDFloating Point Addition
FDIVFloating point division.
FFIXUsed to convert floating point to ffixed floating point strings.
FFLTConverts to 13 decimal places. Uses scientific notation when needed.
FIELDUsed to return a substring from a string located between a specified delimiter.
FIELDS
FIELDSTORE
FILEINFOProvides information about a file.
FILELOCKLocks an entire table.
FILEUNLOCKReleases a FILELOCK.
FINDSimilar to the LOCATE, FIND allows you to search a dynamic array and return up to three positional values.
FINDSTRWhile FIND and LOCATE operate on entire elements, FINDSTR operates on substrings of elements.
FIX
FLUSHUsed with OPENSEQ to make sure all writes have completed.
FMTThis has been replaced by the implicit format.
FMTDP
FMTS
FMTSDP
FMUL
FOLDUse this command to break a string into a dynamic array based on spaces and lengths.
FOLDDPThis is a version of the FOLD command which is NLS safe.
FOOTING
FORThis is a looping command, which is a special form of branching command, designed to repeat a block of code.
FORMLIST
FSUB
FUNCTIONThis is an alternative to the SUBROUTINE command.
G Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
GETGets a command line argument
GETLISTReturns a previous saved list. Contributed by Theo Aivazain
GETLOCALE
GETREMFinds a legal value for the REMOVE.
GETX
GOUse this command when you want to jump to a different point in the code with no need to return.
GOSUBGOSUB allows a program to detour to a label within the same program and then resume from the original point when it encounters a RETURN.
GOTOUse this command when you want to jump to a different point in the code with no need to return.
GROUP
GROUPSTORE
GTS
H Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
HEADING
HUSH
I Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
ICHECK
ICONVConverts a literal or variable based on a supplied set of rules
ICONVS
IFThis is the primary branching command. I is used to include and excludeblocks of code dynamically at runtime.
ILPROMPT
INCLUDEAdd source code from an external source at compile time.
INDEX
INDEXS
INDICES
INMAT
INPUTUsed to receive input from the default input device, which is usually a keyboard, but could be a scanner, or even another computer.
INPUTCLEARClears the type-ahead buffer (any characters already in the pipeline).
INPUTDISPThis is not really a part of the INPUT family. Use CRT instead.
INPUTDPThis is the NLS safe version of the INPUT command.
INPUTERRThis is not really part of the INPUT family. INPUTERR writes a formated error message to the last line of teh termional, as defined by the TERM startment.
INPUTIFAllows several things to be mashed into a single, poorly thought out command. Use INPUT instead and increase readability.
INPUTNULLDefines any single character, that when input by itself should be converted into a null.
INPUTTRAPSelects a GOSUB branch based on the position of the entered character.
INSAdds values to dynamic arrays.
INSERTAdd source code from an external source at compile time. There is a second INSERT command, which adds values to dynamic arrays.
INTConverts a variable by truncating the decimal portion.
ISNULL
ISNULLS
ITYPETranslates a literal or variable using I-Descriptor syntax. This is one of the three DICT level syntaxes. The others are F-Correlative and A-Correlative.
K Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
KEYEDIT
KEYEXIT
KEYIN
KEYTRAP
L Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
LEFT
LENReturns the number of characters in a string.
LENDPThis variation on the LEN command distinguishes between byte length and display length, since NLS supports multi-byte characters.
LENSDetermines the length of each element in a dynamic array.
LENSDPThis variation on the LENS command distinguishes between byte length and display length, since NLS supports multi-byte characters.
LES
LETDEPRECIATED. Assignment command.
LN
LOCALEINFO
LOCATEThere are two syntaxes for the LOCATE. Both are explained here.
LOCKAllow for the locking of non-table related resources.
LOOPInitiates a DO loop.
LOWERConverts the alphabetic characters to lowercase.
LTS
M Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
MATSets each element of a dimensioned array to the same value.
MATBUILDConverts between dimensioned and dynamic arrays.
MATCH
MATCHFIELD
MATPARSEConverts between dimensioned and dynamic arrays.
MATREADIdentical to READ except that the receiving dynamic array is replaced by a receiving dimensioned array.
MATREADUIdentical to READU except that the receiving dynamic array is replaced by a receiving dimensioned array.
MATWRITE Identical to WRITE except that the receiving dynamic array is replaced by a receiving dimensioned array.
MATWRITEUIdentical to WRITEU except that the receiving dynamic array is replaced by a receiving dimensioned array.
MAXIMUM
MINIMUM
MOD
MODS
MULS
N Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
NAP
NEG
NEGS
NES
NEXTPart of the FOR loop.
NOBUF
NOTNOT reverses the logic of a boolean test. True is false. False is true.
NOTSUsed to do a NOT (reverse logic) test on each element of a synamic array.
NULLA compiler directive used to represent a NOOP condition. It means 'do nothing at this step.'
NUMReturns true if the value is numeric.
NUMS
O Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
OCONVConverts a literal or variable based on a supplied set of rules.
OCONVS
ONUse ON as part of the GOSUB command or as part of the WRITE command.
OPENOPEN establishes a file handle.
OPENCHECKOPENCHECK establishes an SQL file handle.
OPENDEV
OPENPATH
OPENSEQ
ORBoolean OR.
ORS
P Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
PAGEForces output to advance to a new page, first triggering a footer, if any, then paging, then triggering a header if any.
PERFORMExecutes a command as if issued from the command line.
PRECISION
PRINTManages output to terminals or printers.
PRINTER
PRINTERR
PROCREADReads the primary input buffer from the calling PROC.
PROCWRITEUpdates the input buffer of the calling PROC.
PROGRAM
PROMPTChanges the single character used by the INPUT family of commands.
PWR
Q Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
QUOTEEncloses a variable, literal, or expression result in double quotes.
R Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
RAISEPromotes @VM to @FM. Promotes @SVM to @VM. And so on.
RANDOMIZESeeds the RND function.
READRetrieves a record from the file and based on the record id
READBLK
READLIST
READNEXTGets a value (typically an ID) from a select list, then moves the pointer forward to the next value.
READSEQ
READT
READURetrieves a record from the file and based on the record id and sets an update lock
READVRetrieves a field from a record from the file and based on the record id
READVURetrieves a field from record from the file and based on the record id and sets an update lock
REAL
RECORDLOCKED
RECORDLOCKL
RECORDLOCKU
RELEASE
REMWhen used as the first non-whitespace character, it makes the line which follows it a remark. Otherwise, it calculates the remainders from division.
REMOVE
REPEATThis command indicates the end of a LOOP.
REPLACE
RETURNUsed to mark the end of a local subroutine (See: GOSUB) or external subroutine (See: CALL).
REUSE
REVREMOVE
REWIND
RIGHT
RNDProduces pseudo-random numbers.
ROLLBACK
S Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
SADD
SCMP
SDIV
SEEKSimilar to GET(ARG.), SET(ARG.) also auto-advances the pointer to the next element.
SELECTCreates a pointer to an unsorted list of Table IDs, suitable for use with READNEXT.
SELECTE
SELECTINDEX
SELECTINFO
SEND
SENTENCERetrieves the raw command line input which invoked the program.
SETLOCALEPart of the National Language Support package. SETLOCATE allows you to control which affects of NLS are used.
SETREMSets a pointer for the REMOVE. With NLS active, you are able to set the wrong spot due to multibyte issues. To protect yourself, use GETREM to determine the value for SETREM.
SINReturns the sine of a number.
SINHReturns the hyperbolic sine.
SLEEPThis command reliquishes time slices to other processes, making the currently executing program wait a specified number of seconds before resuming.
SMUL
SOUNDEXConverts a string into a BELL LABS soundex equivilent.
SPACE
SPACES
SPLICE
SQRTReturns the square root.
SQUOTESurronds a string with Single quotes.
SSELECT
SSUB
STATUS
STEPOptional part of the FOR command.
STOPStops execution and returns to command level.
STORAGE
STRCreates a repeating string.
STRS
SUBRMarks a program as a subroutine.
SUBROUTINEMarks a program as a subroutine.
SUBSPerforms dynamic subtraction.
SUBSTRINGS
SUM
SUMMATION
SYSTEMThis is a way to get a lot of different data from the system. Some is generic to the entire system, some is specific to the state of your session.
T Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
TABSTOP
TANCalculates the tangent.
TANHCalculates the hyberbolic tangent.
TERMINFO
THENIt is used only in conjunction with another branching command. THEN is the "Yes" path. ELSE is the "No" path.
TIMEReturns the seconds and miliseconds since midnight.
TIMEDATEShow the external format for the current time and date.
TIMEOUTSet the wait time before the system gives up in a READSEQ or Set the wait before the system gives up on a connection.
TOUsed in FOR, EQU, and EQUATE.
TPARM
TRANSConverts a value by translating it against another table.
TRANSACTION ABORTAborts all of the work since TRANSACTION START was issued.
TRANSACTION COMMIT
TRANSACTION START
TRIMConvert a string by compressing multiple blanks into single blanks and eliminating leading blanks and trailing blanks.
TRIMBConverts a string by removing trailing blanks.
TRIMBSCoverts each element in a dynamic array by removing trailing blanks.
TRIMFConverts a string by removing leading blanks.
TRIMFSCoverts each element in a dynamic array by removing leading blanks.
TRIMSConvert a string by compressing multiple blanks into single blanks and eliminating leading blanks and trailing blanks.
TTYCTLSets terminal characteristics on BSD (Berkely Unix) only.
TTYGETGets terminal characteristics.
TTYSETSets terminal characteristics.
U Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
UNASSIGNEDDetermines if a variable has been assigned.
UNLOCKRelease a resource lock.
UNTILManges the exit from a DO or FOR loop.
UPCASEConverts a string to uppercase, leaving all non-alphabetics unchanged.
W Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
WEOFW(rite) E(nd) O(f) F(ile) marker on a tape.
WEOFSEQW(rite) E(nd) O(f) F(ile) marker on a sequential file.
WHILEManges the exit from a DO or FOR loop.
WRITEWrites record back to a database table.
WRITEBLK
WRITELIST
WRITESEQ
WRITESEQF
WRITETWrites data to a tape device.Contributed by Russ Watson
WRITEUWrites data back to the database.
WRITEVWrites one field back to a database table.
WRITEVUWrites field back to a database table.
X Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
XLATETranslates a value through a table.
XTDConverts a hexidecimal value to an integer.
Symbol Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
!When used as the first non-whitespace character, it makes the line which follows it a remark. Otherwise, it is used as a logical "OR".
#Symbol for not equals (boolean test).
$CHAINCompile time command which introduces additional source code.
$COPYRIGHTEmbed a copyright message into the object code.
$DEFINECan be used like an EQUATE to define literals, or as a compiler switch.
$EJECTForces a Page Feed when list the source code.
$ELSEUsed at compile time to test $DEFINEd values.
$ENDIFUsed at compile time to test $DEFINEd values.
$IFDEFUsed at compile time to test $DEFINEd values.
$IFNDEFUsed at compile time to test $DEFINEd values.
$INCLUDEAdd source code from an external source at compile time.
$INSERTAdd source code from an external source at compile time.
$MAPUsed in conjunction with NLS (National Language Support).
$OPTIONSUse $OPTIONS to manage compatability.
$PAGEForces a Page Feed when list the source code.
$UNDEFINEUsed at compile time to test $DEFINEd values.
*When used as the first non-whitespace character, it makes the line which follows it a remark. Otherwise, it is used as multiplication.
+Symbol for addition.
-Symbol for subtraction or unary minus.
/Symbol for division.
:Concaternates strings
<Symbol for boolean Less-Than compare. Also used as close angle bracket.
<>Symbol for not equals (boolean test). Also used as Angle brackets.
=Symbol for equals (boolean test) or assignment.
>Symbol for boolean Greater-Than compare. Also used as open angle bracket.
@Used in managing cursor positioning on terminals.
@AMIs a synonym for character 254, the Field Mark.
@FMIs a synonym for character 254, the Field Mark.
@SQL NULLIs a synonym for SQL null.
@SVMIs a synonym for character 252, the Subvalue Mark.
@VMIs a synonym for character 253, the Value Mark.
Idea Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
BRANCHINGWithout branching, programs would execute each command once, in order. Branching allows us to repeat sections of code, perform some sections conditionally, and skip others based on external events.
CASE 1CASE 1 is a common construct in BASIC.
CONSTANTSConstants are values which cannot change during the course of execution.
VARIABLESVariables are values which can change during the course of execution.
Code Index: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  W  X  Symbol  Idea  Code  
ANGLESExample of Angle brackets.
ASSIGNMENTExample of Assignment handling
BOOLEANExample of Boolean logic
COMMANDLINEExample of EOF and GET argument handlers
COMMENTCode which illustrates the three types of Comments
COUNTExample of different counting options.
CURSORCursor managment example.
DEFINEThis is how $DEFINE and its related commands work.
EQUATEThis is how constants are created.
FUNCTIONExample of the FUNCTION and DEFFUN commands versus the SUBROUTINE and CALL commands.
VALIDATIONExamples of validation logic.

More Details or Suggestions?
           

MV Updated from a Post-Relational data table on 10:18:31 23 Apr 2010
Courtesy of Key Ally, Inc.
More information at U2-Users Group
UniVerse is a Trademark of Rocket Software. Previous, IBM, Informix, Ardent, and vMark.
DMOZ
Wikipedia
 


Post-Relational (adjective) relating to databases which are a superset of SQL and XML, offering highly structured data with both relational and multi-value approaches available.

PRDB Reference (noun) repository of commands, concepts, and code designed for the various Post-Relational databases.