Categories of Extract File

Use the SetTitle command to change the category of an Extract file.

Categories are used to determine how a file is opened and closed implicitly by the report.

There are three categories of Extract file.

EXISTING File

These files exist before the Report begins and are retained after the Report ends. To specify an EXISTING file, use one of the following logic command constructs:

When the file is opened implicitly by a Determine or Match command for the first time, the existing file is read. The file is retained on implicit closure.

PERMANENT File

These files do not exist before the Report begins, but are retained after the Report ends. To specify a PERMANENT file, use one of the following logic command constructs:

When the file is opened implicitly by an Extract or Determine command for the first time, a new file is created. The file is retained on implicit closure.

TEMPORARY File

These files do not exist before the Report begins, and are deleted after the Report ends. A TEMPORARY file is one to which the EXISTING or PERMANENT category has not been assigned. To specify a TEMPORARY file, use one of the following logic command constructs (and do not include a SetTitle command):

When the file is opened by an Extract or Determine command a new file is created. The file is discarded on implicit closure.