Partially restarting the program

 

Syntax

BD>clear :

The CLEAR:  command, which has no arguments, is used to restart the program afresh, with some exceptions. Firstly, any external files introduced when starting the program, or later via the CHANNEL:  command, are left alone. Consequently, any macros and so forth remain available after clearing.

If the program was started initially with a log-in macro on a file on channel 1, this macro is not re-run. The history buffer  is flushed to a history file  if one has been defined, and the buffer is then emptied, and the storage of screen commands is switched off. The output channel is not reset to the screen.

The CLEAR:  command does not affect the current settings of the commands affecting program flow. That is, the following constructs remain unaffected when the CLEAR:  command is issued.

• IF:  statements;
• FOR:  statements;
• REPEAT:  statements;
• WHILE:  statements;
• the current output channel;
• macro-switching

Thus, it is possible to issue the CLEAR:  command within a macro, for example within an active IF:  statement. The RESTART:  command is similar, but also clears currently-defined loops and the handling of macros.