HP OpenVMS Systems Documentation

Returns the string that is equivalent to the specified expression.

Format

F$STRING (expression)

Return Value

Argument

expression

The integer or string expression to be evaluated.

If you specify an integer expression, the F$STRING function evaluates the expression, converts the resulting integer to a string, and returns the result. If you specify a string expression, the F$STRING function evaluates the expression and returns the result.

When converting an integer to a string, the F$STRING function uses decimal representation and omits leading zeros. When converting a negative integer, the F$STRING function places a minus sign at the beginning string representation of the integer.

Example

$ A = 5
$ B = F$STRING(-2 + A)
$ SHOW SYMBOL B
  B = "3"
 
      

The F$STRING function in this example converts the result of the integer expression (--2 + A) to the numeric string, "3". First, the F$STRING function evaluates the expression (--2 + A). Note that 5, the value of symbol A, is automatically substituted when the integer expression is evaluated.

After the integer expression is evaluated, the F$STRING function converts the resulting integer, 3, to the string "3". This string is assigned to the symbol B.