Length Conversion (L)

The length conversion code performs string length constraint checks. It works identically on input and output conversions and has three forms:

L	Returns the length of the string being converted.

Ln	Returns the original string if its length is less than or equal to n. Otherwise it returns a null string.

Ln,m	Returns the original string if its length is greater than or equal to n and less than or equal to m. Otherwise it returns a null string.

LW	Returns the display length of the string being converted.

LWn	Returns the original string if its display length is less than or equal to n. Otherwise it returns a null string.

LWn,m

Returns the original string if its display length is greater than or equal to n and less than or equal to m. Otherwise it returns a null string.

Note that on ECS systems, the default behaviour of the L conversion code checks character counts, not display width. This may be significant if the string includes double width characters. Use of the optional W qualifier after the L causes the conversion code to use the string's display width. On non-ECS systems, the W qualifier is ignored.

Examples

Conversion	Data	Result
L	1234	4
L3	A	A
L3	AB	AB
L3	ABC	ABC
L3	ABCD
L2,3	A
L2,3	AB	AB
L2,3	ABC	ABC
L2,3	ABCD