trim() Function

The trim() function removes leading, trailing, and/or redundant characters from a string.

Syntax

trim(str.exp, {trimchar {,type}})

trim(str.exp, "process.code")

Parameter(s)

str.exp	String from which the specified characters are removed.
trimchar	Specifies the specific leading, trailing, or redundant character to trim. If specified, then that character substitutes for the space.
type	If specified, then the trim() behavior can be controlled more specifically. If not specified, then type R is assumed. Available values are:
	A	Trim all.
	B	Trim leading and trailing.
	L	Trim leading.
	T	Trim trailing.
	R	Trim redundant.
process.code	The process code is a masking conversion used for both numeric and text string formatting.
	l	Left justification is used primarily for text strings
	r	Right justification is typically used to process decimal numbers.
format.mask	Special fill operators listed below. Maximum 32,767.
	#n	Justify data in a field of n spaces.
	*n	Justify data in a field of n asterisks (*).
	%n	Justify data in a field of n zeroes (0).

Description

If only one parameter is specified, trim() removes all leading and trailing spaces from a string expression, and compresses multiple embedded spaces to one embedded space.

Example(s)

After trimming, string contains: "cat dog bird".

string = trim(" cat dog bird ")

In this case, the trim() function is used to convert fixed length fields to variable length fields by removing trailing and leading spaces.

readt record else stop

name = trim(record[1,25])

address = trim(record[26,40])

The program:

line = ’--a--b--c--’

print trim(line,’-’)

print trim(line,’-’,’L’)

print trim(line,’-’,’T’)

print trim(line,’-’,’B’)

print trim(line,’-’,’A’)

print trim(line,’-’,’R’)

produces the output:

-a-b-c

a--b--c--

--a--b--c

a--b--c

abc

-a-b-c-