Overview (GET CAPTURE command)

GET CAPTURE retrieves data from a database and converts them to a format that can be used by program procedures. GET CAPTURE retrieves data and data information and builds an active dataset for the current session.

Note: Although GET CAPTURE is still supported, equivalent functionality and additional features are provided in the newer GET DATA command.

Basic Specification

The basic specification is one of the subcommands specifying the database type followed by the SQL subcommand and any select statement in quotation marks or apostrophes. Each line of the select statement should be enclosed in quotation marks or apostrophes, and no quoted string should exceed 255 characters.

Subcommand Order

The subcommand specifying the type of database must be the first specification. The SQL subcommand must be the last.

Syntax Rules

• Only one subcommand specifying the database type can be used.
• The CONNECT subcommand must be specified if you use the Microsoft ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) driver.

Operations

• GET CAPTURE retrieves the data specified on SQL.
• The variables are in the same order in which they are specified on the SQL subcommand.
• The data definition information captured from the database is stored in the active dataset dictionary.

Limitations

• A maximum of 3,800 characters (approximately) can be specified on the SQL subcommand. This translates to 76 lines of 50 characters. Characters beyond the limit are ignored.