TABS—Set or Query Tabs Mode

The TABS macro command:
  • Turns tabs mode on and off
  • Defines the logical tab character
  • Controls the insertion of attribute bytes at hardware tab positions defined with the TABS line command

The TABS assignment statement does everything the macro command can do. It can also retrieve the setting of tabs mode and place it in a variable.

Use PROFILE to check the setting of tabs mode and the logical tab character. See Using tabs if you need more information about using tabs.

Syntax

Read syntax diagramSkip visual syntax diagramISREDITTABSONSTDALLtab_characterOFF
ON
Turns tabs mode on, which means that logical tabs can be used to break up strings of data.
OFF
Turns tabs mode off, which means that logical tabs cannot be used. Attribute bytes are deleted from all hardware tab positions, causing the Tab Forward and Tab Backward keys to ignore hardware tabs defined on the =TABS> line. Blanked-out characters occupying these positions reappear. The TABS OFF message appears in the profile display.
STD
Activates all hardware tab positions (asterisks) that contain a blank or null character. The editor inserts attribute bytes, which cannot be typed over, at these positions. You can use the Tab Forward and Tab Backward keys to move the cursor one space to the right of the attribute bytes. The TABS ON STD message appears in the profile display.
ALL
Causes an attribute byte to be inserted at all hardware tab positions. Characters occupying these positions are blanked out and the attribute bytes cannot be typed over. The Tab Forward and Tab Backward keys can be used to move the cursor one space to the right of these attribute bytes. The TABS ON ALL message appears in the profile display.
tab_character
Defines a single character that is not a number, letter, or command delimiter as the logical tab character. This character is used with hardware tab definitions. The TABS ON tab character message appears in the profile display.
You can enclose the character in quotes (' or "), although this is not necessary unless you want to use one of these characters as the tab character:
=  '  "  <  ,  (  +
The ampersand (&), left bracket ([), and right bracket (]) should not be used as tab characters at all.

The tab_character operand causes the data string that follows the logical tab character to align itself one space to the right of the first available hardware tab position when you press Enter. No attribute bytes are inserted.

If no hardware tabs are defined, the editor aligns the data vertically. If software tabs are defined, the first data string is aligned under the first software tab position and the remaining data strings are aligned at the left boundary. If neither software nor hardware tabs are defined, the editor aligns all the data strings at the left boundary.

With the tab_character operand, the Tab Forward and Tab Backward keys ignore hardware tab positions when the tab_character operand is used because no attribute bytes are inserted.

Read syntax diagramSkip visual syntax diagramISREDIT ( var1, var2) = TABS
Read syntax diagramSkip visual syntax diagramISREDITTABS = ONSTDALLtab_characterOFF
var1
The name of a variable to contain the setting of tabs mode, either ON or OFF.
var2
The name of a variable to contain the tab character and either ALL or STD. This variable may be blank.
ON
Same as macro command syntax.
OFF
Same as macro command syntax.
STD
Same as macro command syntax.
ALL
Same as macro command syntax.
tab_character
Same as macro command syntax.

Return codes

0
Normal completion
20
Severe error

Examples

To set the tab character to \ and set the tabs mode ON:
ISREDIT TABS ON \
To set the value of tabs mode from variable &TABVAL:
ISREDIT TABS = (TABVAL)