The field expressions contain a list of field names which are to be in the logical record created. The field names are the full field names, as defined in Predict and are separated by spaces. The field expressions are used by Adabas Pre-Compiler to create the Format and Record buffers.

The record buffer is the area in the program that is used by Adabas to transfer information to and from the database. The field names in the record buffer are the full field names defined in Predict with the suffix nnnn (the identification of the @ADADCL).

The field definition (format, length) is retrieved from Predict. If the definition is not standard in the host language (COBOL or PL/I), the field is declared as an alphanumeric field. It is possible to define a specific language synonym for a field in Predict. This synonym may be generated in the record buffer with @OPTIONS SYNONYM. Note that the cross-reference information written to Predict by Adabas Pre-Compiler is always the base field name and not the synonym.