BuiltIn Functions › $EMPTY Function

$EMPTY Function

This function evaluates to a Boolean value of True or False, depending on whether a panel field contains a value.

This function has the following format:

        {pnl‑grp(pnl‑row)       }
$EMPTY ({panel field‑identifier })

pnl‑grp

The identifier of a repeating group field on a panel. You must define this field for the panel. It can be nullable.

pnl‑row

The name of a field or a literal that indexes the repetitions of the repeating group. You cannot specify a nullable field as pnl‑row. If all fields in the row identified by this value are empty, $EMPTY returns a value of True.

panel field‑identifier

The identifier of an elementary field tested. You must define this field for the panel. The field can be nullable.

$EMPTY tests True if the field or row had no initial value assigned at layout and any of the following occurred:

• The program or user did not modify the field or row.
• The user erased the field or row by pressing the EOF key.
• The field or row was cleared with a TRANSMIT panel‑name CLEAR statement.
• A RESET statement cleared the field or row or the entire panel.
• The panel was cleared with a REFRESH panel‑name statement.
• The field or row contains null values. (The function is equivalent to an IS NULL conditional expression.)

$EMPTY tests False if any of the following occurred:

• The field or row was laid out with an initial value and not modified.
• The program or the user entered a value into the field or row.
• The field or row was assigned an ensure received (E) attribute and then transmitted.