DELETE

    DELETE marks records in the active database file for deletion.

Syntax

    DELETE [<scope>] [FOR <condition>] [WHILE <condition>]

Options

    Scope: The <scope> is the portion of the current database file to
    DELETE.  If a scope is not specified, DELETE acts only on the current
    record.  If a condition is specified the default scope becomes ALL.

    Condition: The FOR clause specifies the conditional set of records
    to DELETE within the given scope.  The WHILE clause specifies the set
    of records meeting the condition from the current record until the
    condition fails.

Usage

    DELETE tags records so they can be filtered with SET DELETED ON,
    queried with DELETED(), and physically removed from the database file
    with PACK.  In addition, display commands such as LIST and DISPLAY
    identify deleted records with an asterisk (*).  Once records are
    deleted, you can reinstate them by using RECALL.  If you need to remove
    all records from a database file, use ZAP instead of DELETE ALL and
    PACK.

Network

    In a network environment, DELETE requires the current record be locked
    with RLOCK() if you are DELETEing a single record.  If you are
    DELETEing several records the current database file must be locked with
    FLOCK() or USEd EXCLUSIVEly.