SYSTEM

Temporary Exit to Operating System

This directive temporarily exits from Thoroughbred Basic to the operating system to allow execution of any valid operating system commands or functions.

Syntax

SYSTEM [string-value]

string-value

is an operating system command or function to be performed.

Remarks

In UNIX: This directive used without the optional string-value places the task in the standard UNIX shell. Return to Thoroughbred Basic is accomplished with Ctrl-D.

In Microsoft Windows: This directive used without the optional string-value places the task in Microsoft Windows after loading COMMAND.COM into memory. Return to Thoroughbred Basic is accomplished with the EXIT command from an Microsoft Windows Command Prompt or Terminal window.

This directive, when used with the optional string-value, causes an exit to the operating system, completes the specified process, and automatically returns the user to Thoroughbred Basic.

This directive does not affect the user task parameters: the program area is not altered, files and devices are not closed, data variables are not cleared, etc.

The actual environment into which the SYSTEM directive places the task is controlled by a parameter in the PRM line of the IPLINPUT environment control file. For more information, please refer to the chapter on System Files in the Thoroughbred Basic Customization and Tuning Guide.

Examples

SYSTEM

exits to the operating system and the appropriate prompt is displayed.

SYSTEM "ls"

in UNIX, exits to the shell and, as directed by the command “ls”, lists the contents of the current directory. At the completion of this listing, an automatic return to Thoroughbred Basic occurs.

See also

OPEN(OPT=“SHELL”) and XCALL directives

From the Thoroughbred Basic Language Reference, Volume III: R–Z, version 8.9.1. Open this page in the PDF