The input function lets you find and use the input data that stimulated the current response. The data can be received from the keyboard or an application; thus, the input function can only be used with the response to char or response to line response definitions.

 

Note that a response to char or response to line from keyboard

cannot be taken while in a dialog box or dialog region.

 

When ESL receives and recognizes this data and takes the specified response, it returns the data as the value of the input function, and performs the actions specified in the response definition. For example:

 

response to char from keyboard

    append input to AccumulatedLine

 

In this example, the user is typing characters on the keyboard. As each character is typed, a response is taken, which appends the character to the AccumulatedLine variable.

 

If the current response is not stimulated by an input string, using the response to char or response to line response definitions, ESL returns the null string ("") as the value of the function.