Interactive LET Query: LET ECHO

How to:

Reference:

The LET ECHO facility shows how FOCUS interprets FOCUS statements. This facility is a diagnostic tool you can use when statements containing LET-defined words are not being interpreted the way you expect them to.

When the LET ECHO facility is activated, when you enter a FOCUS statement, LET ECHO displays the statement as interpreted by FOCUS.

Syntax: How to Activate the LET ECHO Facility

To activate the LET ECHO facility, issue the command: 

LET ECHO

Syntax: How to Deactivate the LET ECHO Facility 

ENDECHO

Reference: Results of LET ECHO Commands

The following explains the results of a LET ECHO command:

  • If you enter a statement containing no LET-defined words, LET ECHO displays the statement as you entered it.
  • If you enter a statement containing LET-defined words, LET ECHO displays the statement with the substitutions made.
  • If the statement contains variable substitutions, LET ECHO displays the substitutions with the placeholders filled in.
  • If the statement contains multiple-line substitutions, LET ECHO displays the statement with the substitutions on multiple lines.
  • If the statement contains null substitutions, LET ECHO displays the statement with the LET-defined words deleted.
  • If the statement contains recursive substitutions, the substitutions appear as they are finally resolved.
  • LET ECHO may be coded as the first line of a FOCEXEC and ENDECHO as the last line.

Note: If you enter a statement containing a variable substitution, you must enter as many words after the LET-defined word as there are placeholders in the phrase; otherwise, LET ECHO will wait for additional input.

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