Shifting data

When you edit data, the editor automatically shifts characters on a line to the left or right to accommodate insertions or deletions. This shifting can be either implicit or explicit . Implicit shifts occur when the CHANGE command string2 length is different from the string1 length. Explicit shifts occur when you use these commands:

Line commands
(

Column Shift Left

)

Column Shift Right

<

Data Shift Left

>

Data Shift Right
Macro commands
Shift (

Column Shift Left

Shift )

Column Shift Right

Shift <

Data Shift Left

Shift >

Data Shift Right

See the descriptions of these commands for the syntax and examples of usage.

Two columns is the default for shift operations. When shifting a block of lines more or less than the default, enter the amount on the first or last line of the block. If you enter it in both places, the line shifts only if:

Both amounts are the same, or
The amounts differ, but one is the default (2). Here, the lines shift according to the non-default amount.

If the shift amounts are different and neither amount is the default, an error message appears and the shift is not performed.

Shifting occurs within column boundaries. The default boundaries are typically the first and last columns in which you can type source code for the particular programming language. See Edit boundaries for a discussion of default boundaries and the procedures for changing them.