8.0;while, revision 8.0, 84/03/20
WHILE -- Execute a conditional statement.
usage:  WHILE command_1 DO command_2 ... ENDDO


FORMAT

  WHILE command_1 DO command_2 ... ENDDO


  WHILE  executes  a  command  (or commands) as long as the results of a Boolean
  test are true.  You can extend the WHILE command over several lines if you use
  it interactively or in a Shell script.  When you use WHILE interactively,  and
  extend the command over more than one line, the Shell prompts you for each new
  line of the command with the $_ prompt (refer to the example below).


ARGUMENTS

  command_1
  (required)         Specify a command or program to execute and test for truth,
                     or  specify  a  variable  expression or Boolean variable to
                     test for truth.  "Truth" usually  means  that  the  command
                     executes successfully (without any errors), or that a Shell
                     variable  expression  or  Boolean is "true". (Specifically,
                     this argument is evaluated TRUE  if  it  returns  an  abort
                     severity level of 0 (zero).)

                     Refer  to  Chapter 3 of the DOMAIN System Command Reference
                     Manual for more information on Shell variables.

  command_2 ...
  (required)          Specify  the  command(s)  or  program(s)  to  execute   if
                     command_1 returns TRUE.


EXAMPLES


   1. $ K := 3                                       (set var K = 3)
      $ WHILE ((^K > 0)) DO args ^k; k := k-1 enddo  (body of WHILE)
      3                                              (output of WHILE)
      2                                                     .
      1                                                     .
      $





RELATED TOPICS

  More information is available.  Type:)

  - HELP ABTSEV
    for more information on abort severity levels.

  - HELP EXIT
    for details about exiting from a WHILE loop.