This function creates a copy of an Object and returns a pointer to the resulting new Object. It makes a " deep" copy, which contains no references to any other Object (i.e. if the original Object contains references to other Objects, then the actual data are copied, not simply the references). This means that modifications may safely be made to the copy without indirectly affecting any other Object.

RESULT = AST_COPY( THIS, STATUS )

THIS = INTEGER (Given)

STATUS = INTEGER (Given and Returned)

Object

AST_COPY = INTEGER

• A null Object pointer (AST__NULL) will be returned if this function is invoked with STATUS set to an error value, or if it should fail for any reason.