The A through Z and AI through ZI PDFs

Within the overall context of PDFs, there are two sets of fields that have special uses as index work variables:

·    The fields A through Z are a special set of 26 floating-point numeric fields reserved for use in ILF statements. You can use the fields A through Z as index work variables for any type of calculation. These fields can also be used as index work variables in BEG LOOP/END LOOP and SET TEMP statements and in place of occurrence numbers and/or appearance numbers wherever such numbers occur. When used in calculations, the number of digits to the right of the decimal varies to ensure the retention of 15 significant digits at all times. For example, if predefined field A contains a value of 10 and is divided by 3, A is set to 3.33333333333333.

·    The fields AI through ZI are a special set of 26 integer fields. You can use the fields AI through ZI as index work variables for calculations which require only integers. These fields can also be used as index work variables in BEG LOOP/END LOOP and SET TEMP statements and in place of occurrence numbers and/or appearance numbers wherever such numbers occur. The range of values for these predefined fields is from –2,147,483,648 to +2,147,483,647, inclusive. Any calculations resulting in decimal positions are rounded up to the next higher integer. For example, if predefined field AI equals 10 and is divided by 4, the result (2.5) is rounded up to 3, and AI is set to a value of 3. If predefined field AI equals 9 and is divided by 4, the result (2.25) is rounded down to 2, and AI is set to a value of 2.