The routine returns an array placeholder which may be used to create a temporary array (i.e. one which will be deleted automatically once the last identifier associated with it is annulled). The placeholder returned by this routine may be passed to other routines (e.g. ARY_NEW or ARY_COPY) to produce a temporary array in the same way as a new permanent array would be created.

CALL ARY_TEMP( PLACE, STATUS )

PLACE = INTEGER (Returned)

STATUS = INTEGER (Given and Returned)

• Placeholders are intended only for local use within an application and only a limited number of them are available simultaneously. They are always annulled as soon as they are passed to another routine to create a new array, where they are effectively exchanged for an array identifier.

• If this routine is called with STATUS set, then a value of ARY__NOPL will be returned for the PLACE argument, although no further processing will occur. The same value will also be returned if the routine should fail for any reason. The ARY__NOPL constant is defined in the include file ARY_PAR.