Importing encoded format objects

When you import a form, report, or prompted query:

• The file can consist of variable or fixed-length records. See Specifications for externalized QMF objects and Appendix B. Export/Import Formats.
• The record identifier (H, V, T, R, E, *, L, or C) must be in the first position of every record.
• The first two bytes are reserved for control information (the control area).
• Every data field (including field numbers, lengths, and values) must be preceded and followed by one delimiter. Exception: The last data field in a record need not be followed by a delimiter because the end-of-record acts like a delimiter. (The examples in this book use the blank character as the delimiter.)
• If QMF encounters a duplicate data value or table during IMPORT, it replaces the previous value or table. However, duplicates are not allowed where they would violate the rules for a particular object. For example, the number of columns provided for a form can't be changed after the first COLUMNS table has been processed.
• Table numbers, field numbers, and numeric lengths, can contain leading zeroes or leading blanks. However, trailing blanks (except for the blank delimiter) are not allowed; fields must be right-justified.
• When * is used instead of a length or count, it must be left-justified and padded with trailing blanks.
• If the value supplied for a data entry field is shorter than the field, it is padded with trailing blanks. If it's longer, it is truncated.
• If the record is shorter than its fixed-format length, those fields left unspecified are assumed to be blank.