The SKIP option specifies a new current line (or record) within the data set. The expression is evaluated and converted to an integer value, n. The data set is positioned to the start of the nth line (record) relative to the current line (record). If expression is not specified, the default is SKIP(1).
The SKIP option takes effect before the transmission of values defined by the data specification (if any). For example:
put list(X,Y,Z) skip(3);
prints the values of the variables X, Y, and Z on the output file SYSPRINT commencing on the third line after the current line.
For non-PRINT files and input files, if the expression in the SKIP option is less than or equal to zero, a value of 1 is used. For PRINT files, if n is less than or equal to zero, the positioning is to the start of the current line.
For the effect of the SKIP option when specified in the first GET statement following the opening of the file, see OPEN statement.
If fewer than n lines remain on the current page when a SKIP(n) is issued, ENDPAGE is raised.
When printing at a terminal in conversational mode, SKIP(n) with n greater than 3 is equivalent to SKIP(3). No more than three lines can be skipped.