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General functions

Following are brief descriptions of the functions that can be used with all data types. For more detailed information about a specific function (such as usage and syntax), click the function name.

Function What it does

convert

Converts an expression from one supported data type to another.

if

In a series of expressions, executes the second or third expression depending upon whether the first expression evaluates to true or false.

max

Returns the largest value from a list of expressions of any supported data type.

min

Returns the smallest value from a list of expressions of any supported data type.

sizeof

Returns the size of an array.

 

if

This function uses three expressions as input. If the first expression evaluates to true, the second expression is evaluated and used as the result (the third expression is not evaluated). If the first expression evaluates to false, then the third expression is evaluated and used as the result (the second expression is not evaluated). The first expression must be type boolean; the second and third expressions must be the same type.

Use the following syntax:

if (bool_expr, expr2, expr3)

where:

bool_expr

is an expression of type boolean.

 

expr2

is an expression of any supported data type.

 

expr3

is an expression of the same data type as expr2.

 

max

This function returns the largest value from a list of expressions; it does not, however, identify the expression that contained the value. Use the following syntax:

max (expr {, expr }0+)

where expr is an expression of any supported data type. For example, if x = 8, y = 13, and z = 28, the following expression returns the value 53.

max (x +2, y, z, 53, 1, 17.4)

     

min

This function returns the smallest value from a list of expressions; however, it does not identify the expression that contained the value. Use the following syntax:

min (expr {, expr }0+)

where expr is an expression of any supported data type. For example, if x = 8, y = 13, and z = 28, the following expression returns the value 1.

min (x +2, y, z, 2*z, 53, 1, 17.4)

     

sizeof

This function computes the size of an array, returning the highest subscript used for an element of the given array. For example, if you specify entries for locations 5, 7, 8, 15, and 25 in an array, sizeof returns the number 25, even though only 5 locations in the array have non-defaulted entries. (Normally, you fill array locations in order.)

Use the following syntax:

sizeof (array_id)

where array_id is the name of the array.