DATA and READ

DATA
The DATA can be read once or many times using the READ statement. One or more DATA statements form the whole set of data elements. DATA is local to the subroutine or function in which it is defined.

READ
This fetches the next strings and/or numeric values from DATA statements in a program.  The READ statement will fetch enough items to fill the variable names that the programmer specifies.  The values fetched will be converted to fit the variables listed (string or numeric).

RESTORE
Will reset the reading of DATA statements so that the next READ will get information from the first DATA statement in the program (or the first DATA statement in a function or subprogram, if this is where the RESTORE is executed).


