String Variables in Matrix Programs (MATRIX-END MATRIX command)

Matrix variables can contain short string data. Support for string variables is limited, however.

  • MATRIX will attempt to carry out calculations with string variables if you so request. The results will not be meaningful.
  • You must specify a format (such as A8) when you display a matrix that contains string data.

Support for Long Variable Names

  • Long variable names (up to 64 bytes) can be used to name a matrix, vector, or scalar (such as COMPUTE, CALL, PRINT, READ, WRITE, GET, SAVE, MGET, MSAVE, DISPLAY, RELEASE, and so on).
  • Variable names that are included in a vector or matrix object are truncated to 8 bytes. This is because the matrix/vector structure is an array of numbers, and each number can match a string only up to 8 bytes. Long names (up to 64 bytes) are supported only when explicitly specified.
  • Long variable names are supported in GET and SAVE commands when explicitly specified on the /VARIABLES subcommand (and when specified on the /STRINGS subcommand for the SAVE command). Variable names for GET and SAVE commands are truncated to 8 bytes when they are referenced through a vector in the /NAMES subcommand.