Dot qualification

A simple variable can have the same name as a variable which is within a structure. In this case, dot qualification is used to distinguish the variables.

 Dcl
   minor     Char(1),   /* Simple variable     */

   1 major   Char(3),   /* Structure           */
    2 minor   Char(1),
    2 minor2  Char(1),
    2 minor3  Char(1);

 var minor         <- "MINOR" is an ambiguous name
 var .minor        <- displays simple variable "MINOR"
 var .major        <- displays structure major component "MAJOR"
 var major.minor   <- displays structure component "MINOR"

When a structure is more than 2 levels deep, IDF lets you omit any of the leading names, as long as the name is not ambiguous. If multiple variables within the same structure have the same name, and dot qualification levels are skipped, IDF selects the component which is reached in the fewest number of skipped levels.