### 8.16 REREAD

    REREAD [FILE=handle] [COLUMN=column] [ENCODING=’encoding’].

The `REREAD` transformation allows the previous input line in a data file already processed by `DATA LIST` or another input command to be re-read for further processing.

The `FILE` subcommand, which is optional, is used to specify the file to have its line re-read. The file must be specified as the name of a file handle (see File Handles). If FILE is not specified then the last file specified on `DATA LIST` will be assumed (last file specified lexically, not in terms of flow-of-control).

By default, the line re-read is re-read in its entirety. With the `COLUMN` subcommand, a prefix of the line can be exempted from re-reading. Specify an expression (see Expressions) evaluating to the first column that should be included in the re-read line. Columns are numbered from 1 at the left margin.

The `ENCODING` subcommand may only be used if the `FILE` subcommand is also used. It specifies the character encoding of the file. See INSERT, for information on supported encodings.

Issuing `REREAD` multiple times will not back up in the data file. Instead, it will re-read the same line multiple times.