Syntax

numeric expression: #item
format item: %format_item(#item)

There are three tools that can be used within a repeat over loop:

• #item, a built-in integer that contains the index of the current iteration of the loop
• #first, a built-in switch that is set on for the first iteration of the loop
• #last, a built-in switch that is set on for the last iteration of the loop

#item

#item can be used in numeric expressions or in format items that format integers.

The#item integer always provides a value of 1 for its first iteration and the number of opened elements for its last iteration. This occurs even if the "reversed" option is used because#item never counts back to 1.

As a predefined shelf, #item is "read-only" and may only be passed as a read-only argument.

#first

The#first switch always provides a value of "true" for the first iteration of a repeat-over loop and on subsequent iterations always provides a value of "false".

#last

The#last switch always provides a value of "true" for the last iteration of a repeat-over loop; on previous iterations #last always provides a value of "false".

Usage example:

  process
    local switch flags variable initial-size 4 initial {true with key "one", 
                                                        true with key "two", 
                                                        true with key "three", 
                                                        true with key "four"}
    set flags{"one"} to true
    set flags{ "two"} to false
    set flags{"three"} to true
    set flags{"four"} to false
  
    repeat over flags
       do select #item
          case 1
             output "1st flag is "
          case 2
             output "2nd flag is "
          case 3
             output "3rd flag is "
          case 4 to 20
             output "%d(#item)th flag is "
          else
             output "Flag number %d(#item) is "       
       done
       do when #first
          output "{first loop) "      
       done
        do when #last
          output "(last loop) "
       done
       do when  flags
          output "on.%n"
       else
          output "off.%n"
       done      
    again
  ; Output: "1st flag is {first loop) on.
  ;          2nd flag is off.
  ;          3rd flag is on.
  ;          4th flag is (last loop) off."

Related Syntax    repeat over, #item, #last, #first

Related Concepts    Shelves

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