Using the Plot Feature › Using the Plot Feature with REXX

Using the Plot Feature with REXX

If you intend to write REXX programs containing PLOT commands, remember the following:

• PLOT command statements accept multiple operands.

  You can draw a graph with only a few PLOT commands. The REXX language allows you to concatenate multiple lines whenever a line ends with a comma; many of the examples in this chapter show concatenated lines.

  Keep the following points in mind:

  • When concatenating PLOT command operands, do not exceed REXX's 256-character maximum line length.
  • When assigning values to PLOT command operands, do not insert a space on either side of the "(" character.
• Have your REXX program check the return code from each PLOT call to simplify the debugging process.

  The Plot feature assigns defaults freely for missing information. Most usage or syntax errors in a PLOT command statement simply generate return codes rather than error messages.

• Test complex plots outside of the AXCREXX window.

  You can do so by manually executing them from a Windows command line while CA Automation Point is running. Enter the AXCREXX REXXNAME. This testing method allows you to scroll through REXX trace information generated by the REXX program.

Note: The example PLOT command statements in the remainder of this chapter are enclosed in double quotation marks to show how they would appear in a REXX program. (Because the sample plot file SPLPLOT.cmd uses parameter substitution, there are more quotation marks within its PLOT statements, following standard REXX syntax.)