Purpose
This control enables users to specify the HEX numeric escape sequence to be used instead of a form-feed character, when printing reports.
The command has four options: ON, OFF, DEFAULT or any HEX sequence that a printer translates into a printer escape sequence (for example, "0C"XB or '0c'xb).
Syntax
| Command | Shorthand |
|---|---|
| FORMCHAR | FC |
| Option | Shorthand |
|---|---|
| DEFAULT | D |
where the following is true:
- OFF
- Initial default for workstation-attached systems
- DEFAULT
- Initial default for mainframe-attached systems
Usage Notes
Use the FORMCHAR command to specify form feed characters for printing reports. With the FORMCHAR set to ON, BTEQ sends a form-feed character to the mainframe printer and puts a single-byte “1” character in column one. For the FORMCHAR setting to be effective, the FORMAT setting must be set to ON as well. See the following examples.
Certain printers accept only a special numeric sequence in HEX to produce a form feed at the end of a page. When entering the HEX sequence, either uppercase or lowercase characters are valid. If used, the HEX sequence must be less than or equal to ten HEX characters.
If no option is entered, or if an invalid option is entered, the value of FORMCHAR is reset to its initial default value.
- SHOW CONTROLS
- HELP
- FORMAT
The FORMCHAR setting only affects the output for Field Mode, not Record Mode, Indicator Mode, or Multipart Indicator Mode.
The DEFAULTS command resets FORMCHAR setting to its initial default.
The FORMCHAR command is valid in an SQL macro.
Example 1 – FORMCHAR
Specify form feed ON for a workstation-attached system as follows:
.SET FORMAT ON .SET FORMCHAR ON
Example 2 – FORMCHAR instigated by a macro
The FORMCHAR command in an SQL macro appears as follows:
ECHO '.SET FORMCHAR "0C"xb' ;
Example 3 – FORMCHAR
Enter the default for mainframe-attached operating systems as follows:
.help .show controls .set formchar 'e7'xb .show controls .set formchar default .show controls