create procedure lib_string_len (
                     strg_in varchar( 32765))
                   returns (
                     strg_len smallint)
  as
    begin
      /*
        get string length
      */

      if (strg_in is null)
        then
          strg_len = null;
        else
          begin
            strg_len = 0;
            while (strg_in || '.'  <> '.')
              do
                begin
                  strg_in = substring( strg_in from 2);
                  strg_len = strg_len + 1;
                end
          end

      suspend;
    end