To prevent the command processor from substituting whatever looks like a variable, code SYSSCAN={0||1|2|3}, then issue the &NRSTR(), then reset to SYSSCAN=16 (default.) SYSSCAN=n means substitute up to n &s. SYSSCAN=0 means no & should be substituted. To debug/trace, code CONTROL LIST SYMLIST CONLIST MSG before the 1st SYSSCAN and CONTROL NOLIST NOSYMLIST NOCONLIST NOMSG after the 2nd SYSSCAN. HTH
On 23/09/2021 02:28, Skip Robinson wrote: > Before switching to Rexx long ago, I wrote prolifically in Clist. I got > used to always writing '&NRSTR()' because the command processor would > otherwise relentlessly substitute for anything that looked like a variable, > often producing puzzling results. > > The original question referred to 'system symbolics'. There are standard > ways to retrieve the value for a system symbolic, but merely using one like > a variable will seldom work as expected. > > On Wed, Sep 22, 2021 at 1:17 PM Carmen Vitullo <cvitu...@hughes.net> wrote: > >> SET &NEWC=&SUBSTR(1:1,&CHARACTER) >> >> NEWCHAR=(ABC&NEWC) >> >> should work based on some working examples I have. >> >> I'd need to xfer from my work PC to home to send to you if you like >> >> Carmen >> >> >> On 9/22/2021 3:12 PM, Bill Giannelli wrote: >>> it is not liking the syntax of that first command....."invalid >> expression" >>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, >>> send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN >>> >> -- >> /I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to >> succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand >> with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, >> and part with him when he goes wrong. *Abraham Lincoln*/ >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, >> send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN >> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN