VMS Help Lexicals, F$IDENTIFIER  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

    Converts an alphanumeric identifier to its integer equivalent,
    or converts an integer identifier to its alphanumeric equivalent.
    An identifier is a name or number that identifies a category of
    users. The system uses identifiers to determine a user's access
    to a resource.

    Format

      F$IDENTIFIER(identifier,conversion-type)

1 - Return Value

    An integer value if you are converting an identifier from a name
    to an integer. The F$IDENTIFIER function returns a string if
    you are converting an identifier from an integer to a name. If
    you specify an identifier that is not valid, the F$IDENTIFIER
    function returns a null string ("")  (if you are converting from
    number to name) or a zero (if you are converting from name to
    number).

2 - Arguments

 identifier

    Specifies the identifier to be converted. Specify the identifier
    as an integer expression if you are converting an integer to a
    name. Specify the identifier as a character string expression if
    you are converting a name to an integer.

    Any identifier holding the Name Hidden attribute will cause
    the F$IDENTIFIER to return an error when you do not hold the
    identifier in question or do not have access to the rights
    database. For further information on the attribute, refer to
    the OpenVMS Guide to System Security.

 conversion-type

    Indicates the type of conversion to be performed. If the
    identifier argument is alphanumeric, specify the conversion-type
    argument as a character string containing "NAME_TO_NUMBER". If
    the identifier argument is numeric, specify the conversion-type
    argument as a character string containing "NUMBER_TO_NAME".

3 - Examples

    1.$ UIC_INT= F$IDENTIFIER("SLOANE","NAME_TO_NUMBER")
      $ SHOW SYMBOL UIC_INT
        UIC_INT = 15728665   Hex = 00F00019  Octal = 00074000031
      $ UIC = F$FAO("!%U",UIC_INT)
      $ SHOW SYMBOL UIC
        UIC = [360,031]

      This example uses the F$IDENTIFIER to convert the member
      identifier from the UIC [MANAGERS,SLOANE] to an integer. The
      F$IDENTIFIER function shows that the member identifier SLOANE
      is equivalent to the integer 15728665. Note that you must
      specify the identifier SLOANE using uppercase letters.

      To convert this octal number to a standard numeric user
      identification code (UIC), use the F$FAO function with the
      !%U directive. (This directive converts a longword to a UIC in
      named format.) In this example, the member identifier SLOANE is
      equivalent to the numeric UIC [360,031].

    2.$ UIC_INT = (%O31 + (%X10000 * %O360))
      $ UIC_NAME = F$IDENTIFIER(UIC_INT,"NUMBER_TO_NAME")
      $ SHOW SYMBOL UIC_NAME
        UIC_NAME = "ODONNELL"

      This example obtains the alphanumeric identifier associated
      with the numeric UIC [360,031]. First, you must obtain the
      longword integer that corresponds to the UIC [360,031]. To
      do this, place the member number into the low-order word.
      Place the group number into the high-order word. Next, use the
      F$IDENTIFIER function to return the named identifier associated
      with the integer.