Net.Data Reference Guide

Variables

Net.Data has four types of variables: predefined, implicit, report, and SQL.

• "Predefined Variables" are set by Net.Data and cannot be changed. The variables provide information about file locations and dates.

• "Implicit Table Variables" are defined by Net.Data to let you access data from SQL queries and function calls. Unless specified otherwise, they are only recognized inside a REPORT block.

• "Report Variables" help you customize reports from a function. You must define these variables before referencing them. You can set or reference report variables in any Net.Data macro block.

• "Database Variables" help you customize the way FUNCTION blocks are processed. You must define these variables before referencing them. You can set or reference database variables in any Net.Data macro block.

The output for many Net.Data variables varies depending on the platform on which it runs.

Additionally, Net.Data has these variable constructs:

• "Conditional Variables"
• "Hidden Variables"
• "List Variables"
• "Table Variables"

Constants can have a length up to 64K in a Net.Data macro. Thus, you cannot initialize a variable or set a default value whose length is greater than 64K in a macro file.