&ZVARCNT

Returns the number of non-null variables created or modified by the last NCL verb that used generic processing. After processing an MDO, &ZVARCNT is set to one.

A number of NCL verbs are capable of generating the number of variables necessary to hold the data that results from their operation. The procedure can inspect this variable to determine how many variables have been created or modified.

Example: &ZVARCNT

&INTREAD ARGS           -* read next command reply 
&WORDS = &ZVARCNT       -* see how many words in the message.
&A1=X
&A2=X
&B1=                    -* (Null)
&B2=Y
&B3=                    -* (Null)
&ASSIGN VARS=A* FROM VARS=B*
&ASSIGN VARS=(X,Y,Z) FROM VARS=(B1,B2,B3)
                        -* After this statement &ZVARCNT=1