MD—Make Dataline

The MD (make dataline) line command converts one or more ==MSG>, =NOTE=, =COLS>, or ====== (information) lines to data so they can be saved as part of your data set.

Syntax


>>-MD--+---+---------------------------------------------------><
       '-n-'


>>-+-MDD--+----------------------------------------------------><
   '-MDMD-'

n: The number of lines to be converted to data. If you do not type a number, or if the number you type is 1, only the line on which you type MD is converted.

Description

If you enter the MD line command on:

Any line except a ==MSG>, =NOTE=, =COLS>, or ====== line, it is ignored.
The TOP OF DATA and BOTTOM OF DATA lines, it is not allowed.
An excluded line, any converted lines remain excluded and are converted.
A line that contains a label, the label remains after the line is converted.

Note: The MD line command only works on the editable =COLS> lines produced by the COLS line command. It does not work with the non-editable =COLS> indicator line produced by the COLS primary command.

For best results, you should set your edit profile to NUMBER OFF and make sure that the record length of your data set or member is at least 80 before entering the MD line command. Otherwise, data on the right may be truncated.

To convert one or more lines to data:

Type MD in the line command field next to the line that is to be converted. If you also want to convert one or more lines that immediately follow this line, type a number greater than 1 after the MD command.
Press Enter. The lines are converted to data.

To convert a block of lines to data:

Type MDD in the line command field of both the first and last lines to be converted. You can scroll (or use the FIND or LOCATE command) between typing the first MDD and the second MDD, if necessary.
Press Enter. The lines that contain the two MDD commands and all eligible lines between them are converted to data.

Examples

Figure 1 shows how you can convert a block of temporary lines to data by using the block form of the MD line command. Type MDD over the =NOTE= line flags in the line command field of the first and last lines of the block of lines that you want to convert to data.

Figure 1. Before the MD (Make Dataline) line command

When you press Enter, the lines on which the MDD commands are typed and all of the lines between them are converted to data. See Figure 2.

Figure 2. After the MD (Make Dataline) line command