RENEW_TIMEOUT

This configuration variable determines the behavior when the BEFORE TIME time clause is specified on a format 2 ACCEPT statement.

0 (or OFF, FALSE, or NO)
The timer starts on commencement of the ACCEPT statement, but as soon as a key is pressed, the timer stops and the ACCEPT statement will not time out. Therefore, if BEFORE TIME 500 is specified, you have 5 seconds to start entering data into the field, otherwise the statement will time out. This is the default.
1 (or ON, TRUE, YES, or CONTINUE)
The timer starts on commencement of the ACCEPT statement, and continues regardless of keypresses. Therefore, if BEFORE TIME 500 is specified, you have 5 seconds to complete the field, otherwise the statement will time out.
2 (or RESTART)
The timer starts on commencement of the ACCEPT statement, but as soon as a key is pressed, the timer is restarted. Therefore, if BEFORE TIME 500 is specified, you have 5 seconds to start entering data into the field, and then 5 seconds between each keystoke, otherwise the statement will time out.