Reviewed September 2011

entry is a string parameter in which the response is returned. Depending on the value of the opcode parameter, it may also be used to preload the contents of the field.

Note that when preloading the field, trailing blanks are stripped (unless type |] is specified). When returning the field, trailing blanks are added (up to the length specified by xmax), unless type ] is specified, in which case they are stripped, or type |] is specified, in which case they are neither added nor removed.

Comments

The mapped length of entry should be at least as large as the larger of xmax and maxchrs.  If less than xmax, xmax will be reduced accordingly.  If less than maxchrs, the returned contents may be truncated. Be aware of cases where entry may need to be larger than xmax, such as in list substitution (type ||L) where data returned may be longer than the data as entered or displayed. As of edit 1159, the entry parameter may also be mapped as a dynamic string (e.g. map1 entry,s,0) in which case it will grow as needed.