Array Built-In Functions (BIFs)

22 Views

Prev
Next

Here are the most commonly used Array Built-In Functions (BIFs) in free-form RPGLE—these are powerful tools for working with arrays efficiently.

✅ Array Built-In Functions (BIFs) in RPGLE

BIF Description Example
%ELEM Returns the number of elements in the array %ELEM(MyArray)
%LOOKUP Finds the position of a value in an array %LOOKUP('Paris': Cities)
%LOOKUPGT Finds position of first greater-than value in sorted array %LOOKUPGT(100: Scores)
%LOOKUPGE Finds position of first greater-or-equal value %LOOKUPGE(90: Scores)
%LOOKUPLT Finds position of last less-than value %LOOKUPLT(50: Scores)
%LOOKUPLE Finds position of last less-or-equal value %LOOKUPLE(50: Scores)
%TLOOKUP Searches a table array using alternate key array %TLOOKUP('B200': KeyArray: ValueArray)
%SUBARR Creates a sub-array %SUBARR(MyArray: 2: 3) — elements 2,3,4
%TRIM Removes spaces from CHAR array values %TRIM(NameArray(i))

🔍 Example Using Key BIFs

**FREE

Dcl-S Cities Char(20) Dim(5) Inz('Paris':'London':'Rome':'Berlin':'Madrid');
Dcl-S Position Int(5);

Dcl-S Scores Packed(5:0) Dim(5) Inz(10:20:30:40:50);

// Basic usage of %ELEM
Dsply ('Total cities: ' + %Char(%ELEM(Cities)));

// Using %LOOKUP to find 'Rome'
Position = %LOOKUP('Rome': Cities);
If Position > 0;
   Dsply ('Found Rome at position ' + %Char(Position));
Endif;

// %LOOKUPGT on sorted numeric array
Position = %LOOKUPGT(25: Scores);  // Finds first value > 25, i.e., 30
Dsply ('First score > 25: ' + %Char(Scores(Position)));

🧠 When to Use Each

  • Use %LOOKUP when working with unsorted arrays for exact matches.

  • Use %LOOKUPGT, %LOOKUPLT, etc., when arrays are sorted (e.g., ASCEND).

  • Use %SUBARR for slicing arrays dynamically.

  • Use %TLOOKUP when searching a key-value pair array structure.

 

Prev
Next
Save ()

Post Comments