Examples

   1.$ NUM = "52"
     $ TYPE = F$TYPE(NUM)
     $ SHOW SYMBOL TYPE
       TYPE = "INTEGER"

     This example uses the F$TYPE function to determine the data
     type of the symbol NUM. NUM is equated to the character
     string "52". Because the characters in the string form a valid
     integer, the F$TYPE function returns the string INTEGER.

   2.$ NUM = 52
     $ TYPE = F$TYPE(NUM)
     $ SHOW SYMBOL TYPE
       TYPE = "INTEGER"

     In this example, the symbol NUM is equated to the integer 52.
     The F$TYPE function shows that the symbol has an integer data
     type.

   3.$ CHAR = "FIVE"
     $ TYPE = F$TYPE(CHAR)
     $ SHOW SYMBOL TYPE
       TYPE = "STRING"

     In this example, the symbol CHAR is equated to the character
     string FIVE. Because the characters in this string do not form
     a valid integer, the F$TYPE function shows that the symbol has
     a string value.

   4.$ x = F$CONTEXT("PROCESS",CTX,"USERNAME","SMITH")
     $ TYPE = F$TYPE(CTX)
     $ SHOW SYMBOL TYPE
       TYPE = "PROCESS_CONTEXT"
     $ x = F$CONTEXT("PROCESS",CTX,"CANCEL")
     $ TYPE = F$TYPE(CTX)
     $ SHOW SYMBOL TYPE
       TYPE = ""

     In this example, the F$TYPE function returns the string
     PROCESS_CONTEXT because the symbol has been produced by a call
     to the F$CONTEXT function with a context type of PROCESS. The
     symbol returns this type until F$CONTEXT is called with the
     symbol and the selection-item argument value CANCEL.