Modifying Action Diagrams › Understanding Contexts › Function Contexts › Enhanced Array Support

Enhanced Array Support

Before Release 8.6, you could define a parameter to a function to be passed as a FLD, RCD, or KEY.

• FLD–Each field specified as a parameter on the parameter details display is passed as an individual parameter.
• KEY–A single parameter, where the length is derived from the keys of the specified access path or array, is passed. An externally defined data structure is used to define the parameter.
• RCD–A single parameter, where the length is derived from the specified access path or array format, is passed. The parameter contains all the fields which are individually specified as parameters using the parameter details display. An externally defined data structure is used to define the parameter.

Release 8.6 gives you the ability to pass certain parameters as an array.

By passing a parameter as an array, multiple instances of data can be passed in or out, in a single call to a function. For example, if a customer record structure is defined in the Customer array on the *Arrays file, that array can be used to define a parameter to an Execute External Function (EXCEXTFUN) or Execute User Program (EXCUSRPGM) being passed as RCD (ARRAY), any amount of customer records can be passed in that one parameter, in one single function call.

The Edit Function Parameters Panel and the Edit Function Parameter Details Panel were updated to accommodate this enhancement.