VFORMATX Function

Arguments

expression

specifies a character constant, variable, or expression that evaluates to a variable name.

Restriction:

The value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.

If the VFORMATX function returns a value to a variable that has not yet been assigned a length, by default the variable is assigned a length of 200.

VFORMATX returns the complete format name which includes the width and the period (for example, $CHAR20.).

• VFORMAT returns the format that is associated with the specified variable. VFORMATX, however, evaluates the argument to determine the variable name. The function then returns the format that is associated with that variable name.

• VFORMAT does not accept an expression as an argument. VFORMATX accepts expressions, but the value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.

• Related functions return the value of other variable attributes, such as the variable name, length, and type, among others. For a list, see the "Variable Information" functions in Functions and CALL Routines by Category .

array x(3) x1-x3;
format x1 best6.;
format x2 20.10;
array vx(3) $6 vx1 vx2 vx3
   ('x1' 'x2' 'x3');
y=vformatx(vx(1));
z=vformatx(vx(2));
put y=;
put z=;

y=BEST6.
z=F20.10

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