Initial values specified for an array are assigned to successive elements of the array in row-major order (final subscript varying most rapidly). If too many initial values are specified, the excess values are ignored; if not enough are specified, the remainder of the array is not initialized.
The initialization of an array of strings can include both string repetition and iteration factors. Where only one of these is given, it is taken to be a string repetition factor unless the string constant is placed in parentheses.
The iteration factor can be specified as *, which means that all of the remaining elements will be initialized with the given value.
The following examples illustrate the use of (and difference between) string repetition and iteration factors:
An area variable is initialized with the value of the EMPTY built-in function, on allocation. Any INITIAL clause for an area variable will be ignored.
If the attributes of an item in the INITIAL attribute differ from those of the data item itself, conversion is performed, provided the attributes are compatible.
INITIAL is not allowed on objects of REFER clauses.