Re: Extract some numeric fields from a string

[Booth Martin <booth@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Would you know all of the possible categories?

If so, why not define two arrays, the first array being an array of 
possibilities, the second being empty slots for your numeric data.

Then, a loop that %SCANs for each of the first array's elements.
If the %scan finds the match in the data then write a subroutine that 
finds the location of the next alpha character or blank and then 
%dec(%subst(data between the two locations)) into the proper element of 
the second array.
Finally, do a %lookup and get the desired value.

Untested, so of course it has miscues, typos, and issues, however it is 
a path that might take you home.



On 9/11/2012 11:56 AM, Jeff Crosby wrote:
> Given a 60 character string that looks like this (and there will be
> trailing blanks):
>
> L=19.3000A=19.43M=21.7700LS=19.93AS=19.93CB=19.1600
>
> How would I extract the numeric data behind one of these character
> interludes into a decimal field?
>
> For example, one time I may want to know what's behind the "M=", another
> time what's behind the "AS=", etc.
>
> Wanting to know what's behind the "M=" means I want the value (in this
> instance) of 21.7700 put into a decimal field.
>
> Wanting to know what's behind the "AS=" means I want the value (in this
> instance) of 19.93 put into a decimal field.
>
> At one time or another I will want to know any one of the 6 "fields" in
> that string.  The fields are optional in the string, ie, the "CB=" may not
> be there, in which case I want that field to default to 0.
>
> V7R1.  I have the SQL Development Kit if there is some slick way with SQL
> to get one or all of these fields out of the string in one fell swoop.