Syntax
call "_ascii"{,editorname}
Description
The _ascii utility converts the current workspace program into an ASCII file and calls a system editor. After editing, _ascii can retrieve the edited program or exit without changing the workspace. If the changes are retrieved and an error is detected, the workspace can be restored or left with errors.
If _ascii is not called with the name of an editor, it will search the environment for "BBEDIT=" to find the name of the editor to call. If "BBEDIT=" is not found, _ascii will use EDLIN with MS-DOS, vi with the UNIX operating system, or Notepad within Visual PRO/5.
Note: The_asciiutility should not be used to interrupt an executing program, edit the code and variables, and then resume execution from the point of interruption. Calling_asciiwith an active retry/return loop can cause unpredictable results. Executing an END statement before calling_asciiwill clean up the environment so that_asciican be used.
Examples
The following converts the current workspace program into an ASCII file and calls the EDITOR as system editor:
>CALL "_ascii","EDITOR"
The following converts the current workspace program into an ASCII file and searches the environment for "BBEDIT=." If it is not found, the default editor is called:
>CALL "_ascii"