Adabas Pre-Compiler does not require any changes in the writing of PL/I or COBOL programs. You add Adabas Pre-Compiler commands to your programs when you want to use the Adabas database. Each Adabas Pre-Compiler command begins with an "@" symbol and ends with a period or a semicolon. You use the @OPTIONS statement to define only one of the two delimiters.

To identify your program, use the @NAME and @USER commands in the beginning. Then, in the WORKING-STORAGE SECTION, or wherever you need to, use the @ADADCL command to declare buffers. You can declare up to 70 sets of buffers with the @ADADCL command.

Use the @OPEN command to open the files in the database and define which type of program is running (Update/Access). Then, use the Adabas Pre-Compiler execution commands to read and/or write data.

When using the execution commands, keep in mind the EOFnnnn facility. Adabas Pre-Compiler checks for end of file in sequential reads, or end of list in @FIND/@READNEXT commands and turns on/off the EOFnnnn indication. Use this indication to write a processing loop. For example:

Always issue the @CLOSE command at the end of a program.

The following is an example of a program: