Using Functions

In this section:

Documentation Conventions
Related Publications
Customer Support
Information You Should Have
User Feedback
Information Builders Consulting and Training

This documentation describes how to use Information Builders-supplied functions. It is intended for all FOCUS users. This manual is part of the FOCUS documentation set.

References to z/OS apply to all supported versions of the OS/390, z/OS, and MVS operating environments.

The documentation set consists of the following components:

The Creating Reports manual describes FOCUS Reporting environments and features.
The Describing Data manual explains how to create the metadata for the data sources that your FOCUS procedures will access.
The Developing Applications manual describes FOCUS Application Development tools and environments.
The Maintaining Databases manual describes FOCUS data management facilities and environments.
The Using Functions manual describes internal functions and user-written subroutines.
The Overview and Operating Environments manual contains an introduction to FOCUS and FOCUS tools and describes how to use FOCUS in the z/OS environment.

How This Manual Is Organized

This manual includes the following chapters:

Chapter/Appendix		Contents
1	How to Use This Manual	Describes how to use the information in the Using Functions manual.
2	Introducing Functions	Introduces functions and explains the different types of available functions.
3	Accessing and Calling a Function	Describes the considerations for supplying arguments in a function, and explains how to use a function in a command and access functions stored externally.
4	Simplified Analytic Functions	Describes analytic functions that have streamlined parameter lists, similar to those used by SQL functions.
5	Simplified Character Functions	Describes character functions that have streamlined parameter lists, similar to those used by SQL functions.
6	Character Functions	Describes character functions that manipulate alphanumeric fields and character strings.
7	Variable Length Character Functions	Describes variable-length character functions which manipulate alphanumeric fields and character strings.
8	Character Functions for DBCS Code Pages	Describes functions that manipulate strings of DBCS and SBCS characters when the configuration uses a DBCS code page.
9	Data Source and Decoding Functions	Describes data source and decoding functions that search for data source records, retrieve data source records or values, and assign values based on the value of an input field.
10	Simplified Date and Date-Time Functions	Describes date and date-time functions that have streamlined parameter lists, similar to those used by SQL functions.
11	Date Functions	Describes date functions that manipulate date values.
12	Date-Time Functions	Describes date-time functions that manipulate date-time values.
13	Simplified Conversion Functions	Describes conversion functions that have streamlined parameter lists, similar to those used by SQL functions.
14	Format Conversion Functions	Describes format conversion functions that convert fields from one format to another.
15	Simplified Numeric Functions	Describes numeric functions that have streamlined parameter lists, similar to those used by SQL functions.
16	Numeric Functions	Describes numeric functions that perform calculations on numeric constants and fields.
17	Simplified Statistical Functions	Describes functions that perform statistical calculations.
18	Simplified System Functions	Describes system functions that have streamlined parameter lists, similar to those used by SQL functions.
19	System Functions	Describes system functions that call the operating system to obtain information about the operating environment or to use a system service.
20	Creating a Subroutine	Describes how to create custom subroutines in addition to the functions provided by Information Builders.
21	ASCII and EBCDIC Codes

Documentation Conventions

The following table describes the documentation conventions that are used in this manual.

Convention	Description
THIS TYPEFACE or this typeface	Denotes syntax that you must enter exactly as shown.
`this typeface`	Represents a placeholder (or variable) in syntax for a value that you or the system must supply.
underscore	Indicates a default setting.
this typeface	Represents a placeholder (or variable), a cross-reference, or an important term. It may also indicate a button, menu item, or dialog box option that you can click or select.
Key + Key	Indicates keys that you must press simultaneously.
{ }	Indicates two or three choices. Type one of them, not the braces.
[ ]	Indicates a group of optional parameters. None are required, but you may select one of them. Type only the parameter in the brackets, not the brackets.
\|	Separates mutually exclusive choices in syntax. Type one of them, not the symbol.
...	Indicates that you can enter a parameter multiple times. Type only the parameter, not the ellipsis (...).
. . .	Indicates that there are (or could be) intervening or additional commands.

Related Publications

Visit our Technical Documentation Library at http://documentation.informationbuilders.com. You can also contact the Publications Order Department at (800) 969-4636.

Customer Support

Do you have questions about this product?

Join the Focal Point community. Focal Point is our online developer center and more than a message board. It is an interactive network of more than 3,000 developers from almost every profession and industry, collaborating on solutions and sharing tips and techniques. Access Focal Point at http://forums.informationbuilders.com/eve/forums.

You can also access support services electronically, 24 hours a day, with InfoResponse Online. InfoResponse Online is accessible through our website, http://www.informationbuilders.com. It connects you to the tracking system and known-problem database at the Information Builders support center. Registered users can open, update, and view the status of cases in the tracking system and read descriptions of reported software issues. New users can register immediately for this service. The technical support section of www.informationbuilders.com also provides usage techniques, diagnostic tips, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Call Information Builders Customer Support Services (CSS) at (800) 736-6130 or (212) 736-6130. Customer Support Consultants are available Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST to address all your questions. Information Builders consultants can also give you general guidance regarding product capabilities. Please be ready to provide your six-digit site code number (xxxx.xx) when you call.

To learn about the full range of available support services, ask your Information Builders representative about InfoResponse Online, or call (800) 969-INFO.

Information You Should Have

To help our consultants answer your questions effectively, be prepared to provide the following information when you call:

Your six-digit site code (xxxx.xx).
The stored procedure (preferably with line numbers) or SQL statements being used in FOCUS access.
The Master File and Access File.
Run sheet (beginning at login, including call to FOCUS), containing the following information:
- ? RELEASE
- ? FDT
- ? LET
- ? LOAD
- ? COMBINE
- ? JOIN
- ? DEFINE
- ? STAT
- ? SET/? SET GRAPH
- ? TSO DDNAME
The exact nature of the problem:
- Are the results or the format incorrect? Are the text or calculations missing or misplaced?
- The error message and return code, if applicable.
- Is this related to any other problem?
Has the procedure or query ever worked in its present form? Has it been changed recently? How often does the problem occur?
What release of the operating system are you using? Has it, FOCUS, your security system, or an interface system changed?
Is this problem reproducible? If so, how?
Have you tried to reproduce your problem in the simplest form possible? For example, if you are having problems joining two data sources, have you tried executing a query containing just the code to access the data source?
Do you have a trace file?
How is the problem affecting your business? Is it halting development or production? Do you just have questions about functionality or documentation?

User Feedback

In an effort to produce effective documentation, the Technical Content Management staff welcomes your opinions regarding this document. Please use the Reader Comments form at the end of this document to communicate your feedback to us or to suggest changes that will support improvements to our documentation. You can also contact us through our website http://documentation.informationbuilders.com/connections.asp.

Thank you, in advance, for your comments.

Information Builders Consulting and Training

Interested in training? Information Builders Education Department offers a wide variety of training courses for this and other Information Builders products.

For information on course descriptions, locations, and dates, or to register for classes, visit our website (http://education.informationbuilders.com) or call (800) 969-INFO to speak to an Education Representative.

Information Builders