A string function designator specifies a function that returns a string value: a hexadecimal string, an ASCII string, or an EBCDIC string.

<string function designator>

──┬─<string procedure identifier>──┬─┬─────────────────────────┬───────┤
  ├─<string intrinsic name>────────┤ └─<actual parameter part>─┘
  └─<procedure reference variable>─┘

<string intrinsic name>

Any of the names listed under String Intrinsic Names.

The procedure reference variable must designate a procedure declared with a type of HEX STRING, ASCII STRING, or EBCDIC STRING.