BOUNDS—Define Boundary Columns

The BOUNDS line command displays the boundary definition line.

Syntax

Read syntax diagramSkip visual syntax diagram BOUNDSBOUNDBNDSBNDBOU

Description

The BOUNDS line command provides an alternative to setting the boundaries with the BOUNDS primary command or macro command; the effect on the member or data set is the same. However, if you use both the BOUNDS primary command and the BOUNDS line command in the same interaction, the line command overrides the primary command.

To display the boundary definition (=BNDS>) line:

  1. Type BOUNDS in the line command field of any line that is not flagged.
  2. Press Enter. The boundary definition line is inserted in the data set or member.

To change the BOUNDS settings:

  1. Delete a < or > character. The < character shows the left BOUNDS setting and the > character shows the right BOUNDS setting.
  2. Move the cursor to a different location on the =BNDS> line.
    Note: You can use the COLS line command with the BOUNDS line command to help check and reposition the BOUNDS settings. The COLS line command displays the column identification line.
  3. Retype the deleted character or characters.
    Note: The < character must be typed to the left of the > character.
  4. Press Enter. The new BOUNDS settings are now in effect.

To revert to the default settings:

  1. Display the boundary definition line.
  2. Blank out its contents with the Erase EOF key or the Del (delete) key.
  3. Press Enter.
To remove the boundary definition line from the panel, you can either type D in the line command field that contains the =BNDS> flag or type one of these commands on the command line:
  • RESET (to reset all flagged lines), or
  • RESET SPECIAL (to reset only the special lines)

The column numbers are always data column numbers (see Referring to column positions). Thus, for a variable format data set with number mode on, data column 1 is column 9 in the record.

See Edit boundaries for more information, including tables that show commands affected by BOUNDS settings and default bounds settings for various types of data sets.

Examples

Figure 1 shows the boundary definition line displayed with the column identification line. Type BOUNDS in the line command field.

Figure 1. Before the BOUNDS line command
Screen dump.

Figure 2 shows that when you press Enter, the editor inserts the BOUNDS line and sets the left bound at column 43 and the right bound at column 69.

Figure 2. After the BOUNDS line command
Screen dump.