Overlay Dataset

For the most part it recommends to use an overlay dataset if you have many overlay information. If you choose “overlay dataset” activating the corresponding checkbox filed, the “folder” symbol is shown on the left side of the overlay information input field.

To enter an existing dataset and its path information into the input field, you can click on the “folder” symbol on the left side, choose a dataset, and click on the “Open” button of the dataset choose dialogue. Afterwards you can still edit the name in the input field as you like.

To help you especially by entering long dataset names, the program displays the place of the cursor or the range of places being marked at the left side of the status bar being at the bottom of the input mask.

If the overlay dataset field isn’t selected i.e. hasn’t the focus, the field information is displayed as stars. If the overlay dataset field is selected, the contents of this field only is visible if the mouse pointer is located or moved in the central region of this field. If the mouse pointer slowly leaves the central region of this field, then the information is hidden. Regardless of that marked field parts are always visible.

Any overlay dataset used by the current program task is  n o t  processed in this task (so not destroyed as well), even if this dataset is explicitly or implicitly addressed as a dataset to be processed (therefore see exception dataset).

Using overlay datasets with metasyntax, line end characters may be used to split overlay information to more than one line in any place. But using overlay datasets in direct mode, line end characters are part of the overlay information. For such datasets there are additional possibilities described there.