Special variables

A special variable is one that may be set automatically during processing of a REXX program.

There are 3 (5 in Object-Oriented REXX) special variables used by the REXX interpreter:

RC

This variable contains the return code of the last external non-REXX command called (e.g. OS/2 commands like DIR or EAUTIL) In case of a SYNTAX error this variable is set to the syntax error number (1-99). After an ERROR or FAILURE condition RC contains the command return code. Commands executed manually while tracing interactively do not change the value of RC. (see also Pipes & Errorlevel)
RESULT
This variable contains the return code of an internal or external REXX function if called with the CALL statement. The variable RESULT is dropped if the REXX function doesn't return a return code. It's also dropped if the function is called in an implicit or explicit assignment (e.g. a = myFunc() or if myFunc() = 4 then)
SELF (Object-Oriented REXX only)
"This variable is set when a method is activated. Its value is the object that forms the execution context for the method (that is, the receiver object of the activating message)."
SIGL
This variable is set to the line number of the last instruction that caused a transfer of control to a label (that is, any SIGNAL, CALL, internal function call, or trapped condition).
SUPER (Object-Oriented REXX only)
"This variable is set when a method is activated. Its value is the class object that is the usual starting point for a superclass method lookup for the SELF object."

Note: You can change these variables just like any other REXX variable. You should save the values of the special variables in a normal variable if you want to use them in other statements!

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