A record identifying indicator is defined by an entry in positions 21 and 22 of the input specifications and is set on when the corresponding record type is selected for processing. That indicator can then be used to condition certain calculation and output operations. Record identifying indicators do not have to be assigned in any particular order.
The valid record identifying indicators are:
For an externally described file, a record identifying indicator is optional, but, if you specify it, it follows the same rules as for a program described file.
Generally, the indicators 01 through 99 are used as record identifying indicators. However, the control level indicators (L1 through L9) and the last record indicator (LR) can be used. If L1 through L9 are specified as record identifying indicators, lower level indicators are not set on.
When you select a record type for processing, the corresponding record identifying indicator is set on. All other record identifying indicators are off except when a file operation code is used at detail and total calculation time to retrieve records from a file (see below). The record identifying indicator is set on after the record is selected, but before the input fields are moved to the input area. The record identifying indicator for the new record is on during total time for the old record; therefore, calculations processed at total time using the fields of the old record cannot be conditioned by the record identifying indicator of the old record. You can set the indicators off at any time in the program cycle; they are set off before the next primary or secondary record is selected.
If you use a file operation code on the calculation specifications to retrieve a record, the record identifying indicator is set on as soon as the record is retrieved from the file. The record identifying indicator is not set off until the appropriate point in the RPG IV cycle. (See Figure 10.) Therefore, it is possible to have several record identifying indicators for the same file, as well as record-not-found indicators, set on concurrently if several operations are issued to the same file within the same RPG IV program cycle.