Coding Parameters

Types of Parameters

There are two types of parameters in DML statements:

Positional parameters—Positional parameters appear in specific relative locations; for example:
```
#GETSTG TYPE=(USER,LONG,KEEP)
```
Keyword parameters—Keyword parameters are constructed from:
1. A keyword—A character string that is predefined to the system
2. An equal sign (=)
3. A variable-value parameter—Containing one or more variable values
For example:
```
@OBTAIN NEXT,SET='CUSTOMER-ORDER',REC='ORDER'
```
CA IDMS keywords are listed in Logical Record Facility Keywords later in this chapter.

Coding Considerations

The following considerations apply to coding DML parameters:

All DML statements except for logical-record DML statements use keyword parameter notation. The DML precompiler generates positional-pair parameter notation.
Logical-record DML statements that bypass the DML precompiler must be coded using positional-pair parameter notation. The assembler misinterprets or rejects logical-record DML statements that contain keyword parameters.
Logical-record DML statements that are processed by the DML precompiler can be coded using either keyword parameter or positional-pair parameter notation.