Avoid parameter
AVOID is an instance of a class called AISNULL. This instance has different properties, one for every data type. The values of these properties are always null values even if an assignment is made.
The purpose of this instance is to allow declaring a "void" parameter in some calls declared in the classes or representation dictionaries when a variable argument is required. If the user does not use the return value sent by the call, no null constant is then allowed and a variable is mandatory. Using AVOID.PROPERTY with a property of the expected data type will be accepted. This will prevent the development partner from declaring and managing a variable that will not be used.
The properties present in the instance are summarized as follows:
| Property name | Data type |
|---|---|
| ACHAR | Character string |
| AINT | Integer |
| ADEC | Decimal number |
| ADATE | Date |
| ATINYINT | Local menu (byte value) |
| ACLOB | CLOB (large character file) |
| ABLOB | BLOB (large binary file) |
| AINS | Instance pointer |
| AUUIDENT | Unique ID |
| ADATTIM | Date time |
ALIB that defined previously a Local menu null value (byte value) is now obsolete and must be avoided.