                                                           atrbt_serial
Chapter 12 Attribute Operations

The user may invoke the atrbt_serial command to cause a specified action to
occur to a designated attribute of an object on the current, active map
identified by the specified serial number.

atrbt_serial

    Performs action on attribute by serial number.

         atrbt_serial ser action attr

    Causes the specified action with attribute string attr to occur to the
    object identified by serial number ser.

    If the $++ attribute variable is imbedded within the attribute string, it
    will be replaced with a 5 character string (xxxxx) which is a whole number
    >= 0.  Each time an attribute containing the $++ string is assigned, the
    value is incremented.  The initial value can be reset any time by using the
    plus_plus command.
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    Options/arguments:

         ser       Serial number: a sequentially assigned, unique value given
                   to an object during the assembly process.  An object's
                   serial number is never changed and is not re-used if the
                   object is deleted.
         action    Action code, where:
                   0 =  Replace all attributes w/single new one. 
                   1 =  Replace/set 1st attribute, leave others. 
                   2 =  Replace/set 2nd attribute, leave others. 
                   3 =  Insert new 1st attribute, push others up by one.
                   4 =  Prefix 1st existing attribute. 
                   5 =  Suffix 1st existing attribute. 
                   6 =  Add a new (additional) last attribute. 
                   7 =  Remove ALL attributes for one object.
                   8 =  Prefix 2nd existing attribute.
                   9 =  Suffix 2nd existing attribute.
         attr      Attribute string (maximum 30 characters long)
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    Note that the following special variable sequences are allowed:
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    $record

    This special attribute variable is converted to the object record number
    when the attribute is assigned.  For example: if the attribute string
    entered by the user is 'abc$record' and is assigned using atrbt_dig,
    atrbt_rec, atrbt_serial, or atrbt_set to object 123, then the attribute
    assigned is 'abc123'.
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    $serial

    This special attribute variable is converted to the object serial number
    when the attribute is assigned.  For example: if the attribute string
    entered by the user is 'ab$serialzz' and is assigned using atrbt_dig,
    atrbt_rec, atrbt_serial,  or atrbt_set to an object with a serial number of
    999, then the attribute assigned is 'ab999zz'.
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    $++

    This special attribute variable is replaced by a 5 digit integer which can
    be initialized using the plus_plus command.  Each time an attribute is
    stored using the $++ variable substring, the internal value is incremented
    by 1. 
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    Example(s);

    To assign the attribute XYZZY to a polygon with serial number 87 on the
    current, active map, enter:

         atrbt_serial 87 3 XYZZY
     
    To suffix the existing attribute of the segment with serial number 31 on
    the current, active map with the characters GY7, enter:
     
         atrbt_serial 31 5 GY7
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    See also:

              atrbt_dig, atrbt_record, atrbt_set, plus_plus
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