Lists

A little while ago you learned that all ObjectScript data are strings. A list is a special kind of string, made up of a list of items. There are several functions for working with lists, similar to string functions covered earlier.

• $ListBuild returns a list built from items.

• $List returns a specific item in the list.

• $ListLength returns the number of items in the list.

• $ListFind searches the list for an item, and returns its item number.

SAMPLES>set addr = "One Memorial Drive", city = "Cambridge"

SAMPLES>set st = "MA", zip = "02142"

SAMPLES>set mail = $listbuild(addr, city, st, zip)

SAMPLES>write $list(mail, 2)
Cambridge
SAMPLES>write $listlength(mail)
4
SAMPLES>write $listfind(mail, "MA")
3
SAMPLES>

You can't use a list function on a non-list string, or you'll get a <LIST> error. Likewise, you usually will not use string functions on a list. Note that the abbreviations for list functions are two or three letters.