&SUBSTR

Returns a string that is a section of a nominated variable or constant.

&SUBSTR data i [ j ]

&SUBSTR provides a means of isolating part of a string or variable. &SUBSTR is a built-in function and must be used to the right of an assignment statement.

Operands:

data: A variable or constant from which the extraction of data is to be performed.
i: The position within the data at which the extraction is to start. The value of i must be greater than 0. The first character in a variable is counted as 1. If i exceeds the length of the variable, then a null value is extracted.
j: The length of data to be extracted. If j is omitted or exceeds the length remaining in the variable, the remaining length is used. j must be 0 or greater. If 0 is specified, then a null value is extracted.

Examples: &SUBSTR

&A = ABCDEF 
&B = &SUBSTR &A 3 2  -* &B is set to CD
&C = &SUBSTR &A 4    -* &C is set to DEF

Used in calculating a number as a percentage.

&PC = (&CURR * 10000) / &INIT  
&A = &LENGTH &PC  
&A = &A - 1 
&B = &SUBSTR &PC &A  
&A = &LENGTH &PC  
&A = &A - 2
&PC = &SUBSTR &PC 1 &A  
&PC = &CONCAT &PC .  &B % 
&WRITE Percentage is &PC

Notes:

The process of variable substitution eliminates null variables from a statement. Therefore care should be taken to ensure any expected variables are supplied on the &SUBSTR statement or invalid results can occur.

If &CONTROL DBCS or DBCSN or DBCSP is in effect, &SUBSTR is sensitive to the presence of DBCS data.