ILE COBOL Language Reference

Function-Identifier

A function-identifier is a syntactically correct sequence of character strings and separators that uniquely references the data item resulting from the evaluation of a function.

Format
 
>>-FUNCTION--function-name-1--+----------------------+---------->
                              |    .------------.    |
                              |    V            |    |
                              '-(----argument-1-+--)-'
 
>--+--------------------+--------------------------------------><
   '-reference-modifier-'
 
 
argument-1
Must be an identifier, literal (other than a figurative constant), or arithmetic expression.
function-name-1
Function-name-1 must be one of the intrinsic function names.

For more information, see Intrinsic Functions.

reference-modifier
Can be specified only for alphanumeric, DBCS, or national functions.

References to Alphanumeric Items

A function-identifier that makes reference to an alphanumeric function can be specified anywhere that an identifier is permitted and where references to functions are not specifically prohibited, except as follows:

References to Integers

A function-identifier that makes reference to an integer or numeric function may be used wherever an arithmetic expression is allowed.

+-------------------------------IBM Extension--------------------------------+

References to DBCS Items

A DBCS function can be specified anywhere in the general formats that a DBCS identifier is permitted, and where the rules associated with the general formats do not specifically prohibit reference to functions, except as follows:

A reference modification for a DBCS function is allowed. If reference modification is specified for a function, the evaluation of the reference modification takes place immediately after the evaluation of the function.

A DBCS function can be referenced as an argument for a function that allows a DBCS argument.

+----------------------------End of IBM Extension----------------------------+

+-------------------------------IBM Extension--------------------------------+

References to National Items

A national function can be specified anywhere in the general formats that a national identifier is permitted, and where the rules associated with the general formats do not specifically prohibit reference to functions, except as follows:

A reference modification for a national function is allowed. If reference modification is specified for a function, the evaluation of the reference modification takes place immediately after the evaluation of the function.

A national function can be referenced as an argument for a function that allows a national argument.

+----------------------------End of IBM Extension----------------------------+

+-------------------------------IBM Extension--------------------------------+

References to Date-Time Items

A date-time function can be specified anywhere in the general formats that a date-time identifier is permitted, and where the rules associated with the general formats do not specifically prohibit reference to functions, except as follows:

A date-time function can be referenced as an argument for a function that allows a date-time argument.

+----------------------------End of IBM Extension----------------------------+

+-------------------------------IBM Extension--------------------------------+

References to Boolean Items

A boolean function can be specified anywhere in the general formats that a boolean identifier is permitted, and where the rules associated with the general formats do not specifically prohibit reference to functions, except as follows:

A boolean function can be referenced as an argument for a function that allows a boolean argument.

+----------------------------End of IBM Extension----------------------------+


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