The s processing code substitutes either a data value from the referenced attribute or literal text when the current data value is null or zero.
| System Processors | Select, Update, List |
| Code Type | Attribute Defining |
| Dictionary Attributes | Input Conversion, Output Conversion, Correlative |
s;attrnum1|text|*;attrnum2|text
| attrnum1 | Value to substitute if the attribute value tested is not null or zero. Can be an attribute number or literal text enclosed in single quotes. |
| attrnum2 | Value to substitute if the attribute value tested is null. Can be an attribute number or literal text enclosed in single quotes. |
| text | Contains the literal text string. |
| * | Displays the original data value, if it is not null or 0;
otherwise, the second argument displays. This feature can be used
as the first parameter of an f processing code
in the form: fattrnum(s;*;’text’) The asterisk can also be embedded within an a processing code. Substitution is used in an a (algebraic) processing code as an alternative to the then/else construct. |
The s processing code returns the value defined by attribute number 2 if the value for conversion is null or 0; otherwise, the value of attribute number 1 is returned. Both attribute number 1 and attribute number 2 can be an attribute number or text string.
These a-correlatives produce identical results:
aif n(sales)>="1000000" then "made it" else "trouble"
a(n(sales)>="1000000")(s;"made it";"trouble")
The following checks for the existence of a shipping address in attribute 20. If not there, show the billing address in attribute 10.
a(20)(S;*;10)