Using REXX with QMF forms

Expressions used in FORM.CALC, FORM.CONDITIONS, and FORM.COLUMNS (Column Definition) can consist of terms (strings, symbols, and functions) interspersed with operators and parentheses. Do not execute QMF commands (using the callable or command interfaces) from within a REXX expression or exec.

Strings are literal constants enclosed in single or double quotation marks. For example, 'High' and "Low".

Symbols are numeric literals (numbers), variables, or nonnumeric literals without quotation marks.

• Numeric literals can be expressed in integer, decimal, or exponential notation. For example:

  123
   25.45
     .432
    1.7E4   (equivalent to 17000)
    7.6e-3  (equivalent to .0076)

  Commas are not allowed, except as decimal points. (QMF allows commas for decimal points only when they are defined as such to the database manager.)

• Variables are restricted by how the expression is used. See the table in Variables Used in Forms for a summary of allowable variables.
• Nonnumeric literals are symbols that are neither numbers nor variables. These are handled like strings in the evaluation of expressions.

Functions have the following syntax:

function-name([[expression][,][expression][,] ...])

where 0 to nexpression arguments can exist (n is the maximum number of comma-separated expressions allowed by REXX).

Function-name must identify either a built-in function or an external function, for example, a REXX program. Evaluation of an expression is left to right, modified by parentheses and by operator precedence in the usual algebraic manner (with the exception of the minus prefix). See Operator Priorities.