N command code

The N command code prevents you from replacing a segment on a path call. In conjunction with the D command code, it lets the application program to process multiple segments using one call. Alone, the D command code retrieves a path of segments in your I/O area. With the N command code, the D command code lets you distinguish which segments you want to replace.

For example, the following code only replaces the TREATMNT segment.

GHU    PATIENT*D(PATNObbb=b06439)
       ILLNESSb*D(ILLDATEb=19930301)
       TREATMNT

REPL   PATIENT*N(PATNObbb=b06439)
       ILLNESSb*N(ILLDATEb=19930301)
       TREATMNT

Restriction: If you use D and N command codes together, IMS™ retrieves the segment but does not replace it.

The N command code applies only to REPL calls, and IMS ignores it if you include the code in any other call.