Changing variable values can produce unexpected results. When using statements such as IF, WHILE, and SWITCH, changing the value of the variable will not cause R:BASE to re-evaluate the conditions. Changing a variable does not update previous uses of the variable. For instance, if a DECLARE CURSOR command uses a variable, changing the value after the DECLARE command processes does not cause the CURSOR definition to change.
In certain R:BASE commands, variables are produced at the pre-parsing stage, while R:BASE is searching for the next command in the file. Since the Trace Debugger also uses the pre-parsing function to locate the next command, the value of some variables might already be in the command. In this case, R:BASE does not use the new value for the variable in the processing of the current command.
Using the Trace Prompt, you can also change the data type of a variable. To change a data type, enter the appropriate SET VARIABLE command within the Trace Prompt input console.
