Element <pft>

The <pft> element contains instructions in the ISIS Formatting Language (Print Format). It is used to extract data from records, format strings, perform calculations, and manipulate variables.

It is the engine behind data presentation in IsisScript.

Usage

• Allowed content: Pure PFT string or nested <pft> elements.
• Parent elements: <call>, <cgitable>, <define>, <display>, <export>, <extract>, <field>, <file>, <flow>, <htmlpft>, <label>, <list>, <parm>, <pft>, <proc>, <return>, <trace>, <write>.

Syntax

<pft [type="..."]>
    PFT_INSTRUCTIONS
</pft>

Attributes

Attribute	Description
type	Specifies the action type for format execution (check, reload).

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Attribute Details

type="check"

Enables format syntax validation.

• Return Value:
• If valid: Returns 00000.
• If invalid: Returns a 5-digit error code, followed by a space and the syntax error pointer (location of the error).

Example: Validating User Input This checks if the PFT string stored in the CGI variable pft is valid.

<field action="cgi" tag="2065">pft</field>
<display>
   <pft type="check">
      <pft>v2065</pft>
   </pft>
</display>

type="reload"

Specifies that the format must be recompiled each time this instruction is executed.

• Use Case: Essential when the PFT content is dynamic (e.g., constructed via variables or ref() lookups that change during execution) and needs to be treated as executable code rather than a static string.

Example: Dynamic Execution

<do>
   <parm name="to">10</parm>
   <loop>
      <display>
         <pft type="reload">
            <pft>ref(['CONFIG']val(v1), v500/)</pft>
         </pft>
      </display>
   </loop>
</do>

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Common Examples

Basic Formatting

<display><pft>("Author: "v70+|; |)</pft></display>

Executing External Files

Using the @ command or cat() function.

<display><pft>@CDS.PFT</pft></display>
<display><pft>cat('C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT')</pft></display>

Reference Lookup

<display><pft>ref(['CONFIG']1, v500/)</pft></display>