To define the record type, type:

where n is 0 for ordinary records, 2 to read multicard records in sections according to the card type, or 3 to read multicard records all in one go.

Quantum recognizes two types of record: single card and multicard. The type of record is defined by the keyword read= on the struct statement:

Ordinary records are defined using read=0. Each record is read into c1 onwards of the array. Since it is the default, you need only use it when other options are required; for example, when the records contain serial numbers and you want to have the serial number printed as part of the record, or when you are working with long records of more than 100 columns.

Multicard records are identified by the keyword read=2. Each card in the record is read into the row corresponding to the card type of that card — that is, card 1 in c(101,200), card 2 in c(201,300), and so on.

You can read all cards in a multicard record in at once and ignore the card type. The first card goes in c(101,200), the second in c(201,300), and so on. This is achieved with read=3.