Rules for Assigning Field Indicators

When you assign field indicators, remember the following:

• Indicators for plus, minus, zero, or blank are set off at the beginning of the program. They are not set on until the condition (plus, minus, zero, or blank) is satisfied by the field being tested on the record just read.
• Field indicators cannot be used with entire arrays or with look-ahead fields. However, an entry can be made for an array element. Field indicators are allowed for null-capable fields only if ALWNULL(*USRCTL) is used.
• A numeric input field can be assigned two or three field indicators. However, only the indicator that signals the result of the test on that field is set on; the others are set off.
• If the same field indicator is assigned to fields in different record types, its state (on or off) is always based on the last record type selected.
• When different field indicators are assigned to fields in different record types, a field indicator remains on until another record of that type is read. Similarly, a field indicator assigned to more than one field within a single record type always reflects the status of the last field defined.
• The same field indicator can be specified as a field indicator on another input specification, as a resulting indicator, as a record identifying indicator, or as a field record relation indicator. No diagnostic message is issued, but this use of indicators could cause erroneous results, especially when match fields or level control is involved.
• If the same indicator is specified in all three positions, the indicator is always set on when the record containing this field is selected.