The Concatenate Strings command allows you to combine two data strings into a third. The resulting string may be Trimmed (with trailing spaces eliminated) or Untrimmed. Strings may be combined at a fixed position specified by the Placement of Right Variable. The Destination may be either the left or the right source.
Left Source – contains the first data string to be combined. Choose from:
Memory Variable – displays next to the Rule Command window. Double-click a memory variable and the program automatically enters it in the Left Source text box.
Record/Field – displays next to the Rule Command window. Double-click a field and the program automatically enters the record/field in the Left Source text box.
System Variable – displays next to the Rule Command window. Double-click a system variable and the program automatically enters it in the Left Source text box.
Constant – enter a value in the text box on the Constant Value window that displays and select OK. The value is automatically entered in the Left Source text box.
Right Source – contains the second data string to be combined. Choose from:
Memory Variable – displays next to the Rule Command window. Double-click a memory variable and the program automatically enters it in the Right Source text box.
Record/Field – displays next to the Rule Command window. Double-click a field and the program automatically enters it in the Right Source text box.
System Variable – displays next to the Rule Command window. Double-click a system variable and the program automatically enters it in the Right Source text box.
Constant – enter a value in the text box on the Constant Value window that displays and select OK. The value is automatically entered in the Right Source text box.
Placement of Right Variable – allows you to select the desired placement of the right variable data string:
Delim(iter) Based Position in Dest(ination) – places the right variable data string after the nth occurrence of a specified delimiter in the left variable data string (may overlay some of the left variable data).
When you make this choice, the Select a Delimiter window displays next to the Rule Command window with a numbered list of ASCII characters. See the appendices for a listing of ACII characters that can be used as delimiters.
Double-click a delimiter, and the program automatically enters the number of that delimiter in the Placement of Right Variable (now called Delim Based Position in Dest) text box. The Delimiter Occurrence window displays. On that window, enter the number of times (n) the delimiter should appear in the left variable data string before the right variable data string is appended.
Memory Variable Position – places the right variable data string after the position in the left variable data string specified by the value in a memory variable.
When you make this choice, the Memory Variable window displays next to the Rule Command window. Double-click a memory variable and the program automatically enters it in the Placement of Right Variable (now called Memory Variable Position) text box.
Constant Destination Position – places the right variable data string after the nth character in the left variable data string (may overlay some of the left variable data).
When you make this choice, the Constant Value window displays next to the Rule Command window. Enter a value in the text box, and the program automatically enters it in the Placement of Right Variable (now called Constant Destination Position) text box.
Untrimmed Left Variable – places the right variable data string immediately after the left variable data string in the destination field.
Trimmed Left Variable – trims leading and trailing blanks from the left variable data string and places the right variable data string immediately after it in the destination field.
Destination – holds the combination of the left and right data strings. Choose from:
Memory Variable – displays next to the Rule Command window. Double-click a memory variable, and the program automatically enters it in the Destination text box.
Record/Field – displays next to the Rule Command window. Navigate down through a record to reveal the fields. Double-click a field, and the program automatically enters the record/field in the Destination text box.
System Variable – displays next to the Rule Command window. Double-click a system variable, and the program automatically enters it in the Destination text box.
