SHOW commands can output their information in complex S variables of the type ’structure’. This allows the user to access specific information directly. Every SHOW command with this functionality predefines the layout of the structure:
A structure is defined for an object specified in the SHOW command (e.g. a file or device). For each output object an individual structure is created and written into a list variable. The output thus may always be processed as a list; no divergent syntax is necessary if there is only one output object.
For each specific item of information on this object, an S variable is defined as an element of this structure and the specific information is assigned to it as the content.
If information on an object can be organized in a hierarchical structure, a complex S variable is defined for each hierarchy as an element of the superordinate structure. A hierarchically lower-ranking S variable can therefore be a simple S variable, a structure or a list of simple S variables and/or structures.
The names of the elements are command-specific and predefined for each SHOW command. As far as possible, they match the corresponding operand names or a unique abbreviation. Elements containing the same information are given the same name across all SHOW commands. The names of the S variables are preset for each SHOW command and are guaranteed for future versions.
The contents of the S variables (the specific information) have a defined type: string, integer or Boolean. As far as possible, they match corresponding operand values or unique abbreviations.
The type of each S variable must match the type of its content. SHOW commands thus declare their S variables using TYPE=*ANY.
Information about the layout of the various output structures is contained in the command descriptions in the relevant product manual. The output structures for the BS2000 SHOW commands can be found in the “Commands” manual [3].