Mechanism_Code

function'Mechanism_Code yields an integer code for the mechanism used for the result of function, and subprogram'Mechanism_Code (n) yields the mechanism used for formal parameter number n (a static integer value with 1 meaning the first parameter) of subprogram. The code returned is:

1

by copy (value)

2

by reference

3

by descriptor (default descriptor class)

4

by descriptor (UBS: unaligned bit string)

5

by descriptor (UBSB: aligned bit string with arbitrary bounds)

6

by descriptor (UBA: unaligned bit array)

7

by descriptor (S: string, also scalar access type parameter)

8

by descriptor (SB: string with arbitrary bounds)

9

by descriptor (A: contiguous array)

10

by descriptor (NCA: non-contiguous array)

Values from 3 through 10 are only relevant to Digital OpenVMS implementations.