(9907) Error in BASIC string function?

[User]

The following comparison in BASIC works in our VMS 7.3 development environment but fails on at least one VMS 7.1-1H2 client environment.

Code: Select all

IF CARD.ACT.METH$<>"" AND TRM$(MCH.NEW.EXP.DATE
THEN

When both variables are populated, the comparison correctly matches and executes the IF block. When MCH.NEW.EXP.DATE$ is empty, it correctly skips the block on VMS 7.3. On VMS 71.-1H2, it executes the block even though that field is null or spaces. MCH.NEW.EXP.DATE$ is a 6-byte fixed-length field from a database. If I DBG>EXAMINE/HEX in 7.3 and it is not set to an actual date, it sh 202020202020 or spaces. On 7.1-1H2 it shows all zeros. But with the TRM$ they should be treated the same.

[Wizard]

Without details of ECOs or a reproducer, no particularly specific or certain answer is immediately feasible here, unfortunately.

The OpenVMS Wizard would encourage application of any available mandatory ECO kits for the OpenVMS releases in use, and any ECOs specific to the BASIC run-time library, and would encourage use of the current BASIC compiler, and would particularly recommend an upgrade from a now-ancient and long-unsupported hardware release such as V7.1-1H1 to a more current release; an upgrade to V7.3-2 here; to the next available "landing zone" release.

The releases V7.0, V7.1, V7.1-1H1 and V7.1-1H2 should all be upgraded to at least V7.1-2, and any unsupported release -- and this includes V7.1-2 -- is best upgraded to a supported release.

For details on Current Version Support and particularly on Prior Version Support (PVS), and for information on available
ECO kits, please see the OpenVMS FAQ.