Cannot Access FIELDed Variables After CLOSE in Compiled Basic (21815)

SUMMARY

Problem:

I cannot access FIELDed variables after I close the random access file. I am able to access the variables in IBM BasicA, but not in the QuickBasic compiler.

Response:

This is a difference between the IBM BasicA Interpreter and the QuickBasic Compiler.

You must assign the FIELDed variables to unFIELDed string variables to access the data in the FIELD buffer after the file is closed.

Note: If the file is closed, and a FIELD variable is used as an argument to a function, you may receive an "Illegal Function Call" message.

This information needs to be added to Appendix A "Converting BasicA Programs to QuickBasic" in the following manuals:

1. "Microsoft Basic Compiler Version 6.00 for MS OS/2 and MS-DOS: Learning and Using Microsoft QuickBasic"
2. "Microsoft QuickBasic: Programming in Basic Version 4.50"

This information can also be added to Chapter 10, "Compiler-Interpreter Language Differences," of the "Microsoft QuickBasic Compiler" Versions 2.0x and 3.00 manual.