The CALSUB Command [MLEPC]

The CALSUB command is used to activate a predefined subprogram.

\textbf{CALSUB / ID}, \, \begin{pmatrix}\begin{array}{l} a \\ \mathtt{'}\mathit{name}\,\mathtt{'} \end{array}\end{pmatrix} \begin{bmatrix} ,\textbf{TYPE}, \begin{pmatrix}\begin{array}{l} \textbf{CNC} \\ \textbf{RANGE} \\ \textbf{INCLUD} \\ \textbf{CLDATA} \\ \textbf{SYSTEM} \end{array}\end{pmatrix} \end{bmatrix} \big[ ,\textbf{TIMES} ,b \, \big] \; \Big[ \big[ ,\textbf{OPTION} \, \big] ,c \, \Big]

The subprogram ID[1] can be identified by either a whole number value a, or by a quoted subprogram name.

Various subprogram types are supported. If a subprogram type is specified with the CALSUB command, then it must match the type defined on the corresponding DEFSUB command.

  • CNC specifies a subprogram defined in a separate program element than the caller. The post-processor will output a subprogram containing the code generated from the DEFSUB-ENSUB block either immediately, or when called, or at the end of processing, depending on how the post-processor is configured. For each call, the post-processor will update the processing status based on the subprogram contents, and then will generate a call instruction to the subprogram.

  • RANGE specifies a subprogram defined as repeat range in the same program element as the caller. The post-processor will process the DEFSUB-ENDSUB contents at the first call, bounded by labels or sequence numbers. For each subsequent call, the post-processor will update the processing status based on the subprogram contents, and then will generate a call instruction to repeat the bounded code.

  • INCLUD specifies an emulated subprogram. The post-processor will save the contents of the subprogram when defined, and then post-process the saved CLDATA contents at each call.

  • CLDATA specifies to use preferably a CNC subprogram if supported, but if not then a RANGE repeat if supported, otherwise to emulate the subprogram (i.e., INCLUD).

  • SYSTEM specifies a controller resident subprogram. For each call, the post-processor will update the processing status based on the subprogram contents if a subprogram was defined, and then generate a call instruction to the controller resident subprogram. A SYSTEM subprogram does not have to be defined.

The couplet (keyword,real) TIMES,b specifies the number of times to execute the subprogram.

The couplet (keyword,real) OPTION,c specifies optional subprogram parameters, to be included on the subprogram activation (call) NC block. This qualifier might not be valid for a specific NC controller and cannot be used when emulating subprograms.

A subprogram can call another subprogram, to a maximum nesting depth of 16 if emulated, and to a QUEST defined limit if supported by the machine.