Finding and changing strings

You can use the FIND primary command to locate a string within selected segments in your database. You can use the CHANGE command to find a string multiple segments and replace it with another string. The FIND command is available on the IMS Data panel; the CHANGE command is available on the IMS Data panel when you are in Edit.

Automatic scrolling is performed, if necessary, to bring the string into view and the cursor is placed at the beginning of the string or field. The operands available and the operation of the FIND and CHANGE commands depends on whether a view is being used and if a view is used, the current setting of SHOW SUP ON (exposed data in group lines) or SHOW SUP OFF (grouped segments represented by a single line).

The effects of these changes can be limited by using command parameters or by applying limiting methods (see Limiting the search in FIND or CHANGE).

The tasks described in this section are:

• Sequence of searched segments
• Finding a string
• Finding invalid data
• Handling long strings in FIND
• Changing strings
• Handling long strings in CHANGE
• Limiting the search in FIND or CHANGE