ROOT

The ROOT statement transforms a filename and index name into a form that can be used with the KEY statement when scanning an alternate key index.

Format

ROOT filename, index TO scan.var

{THEN statement(s)}

{ELSE statement(s)}

where

filename

is the name of the file for which the index is to be scanned.

index

identifies the index to be scanned.

scan.var

is a data collection variable returned by the ROOT statement for use in the KEY statement. Applications should make no assumptions about the content of this variable as it may change in future releases.

The index may be the name of an alternate key index or an A-correlative expression. In the latter case, the ROOT statement looks for an index that is constructed from this expression

At least one of the THEN and ELSE clauses must be present. The THEN clause will be executed if the action is successful. The ELSE clause will be executed if the action fails. Use of the STATUS() function will return the error code.

See the KEY statement for an example of usage.