Defining NaturalX Objects

General syntax of DEFINE DATA OBJECT:

DEFINE DATA
  OBJECT

Opening bracket.

 USING

Opening bracket.

local-data-area
parameter-data-area

Closing bracket.

Closing bracket.
local-data-definition Ellipsis.  
END-DEFINE  

This document covers the following topics:

For an explanation of the symbols used in the syntax diagram, see Syntax Symbols.

DEFINE DATA OBJECT Usage

The DEFINE DATA OBJECT statement is used in a subprogram or class in conjunction with NaturalX.

For further information, refer to the section NaturalX in the Programming Guide.

DEFINE DATA OBJECT Syntax Description

Syntax Element Description
USING local-data-area
LDA Name:

A local data area (LDA) contains data elements which are to be used in a single Natural module. You may reference more than one data area; in that case you have to repeat the reserved words OBJECT and USING, for example: 

DEFINE DATA
  OBJECT USING DATX_L
  OBJECT USING DATX_P

  ...
END-DEFINE ;

For further information, see also Defining Fields in a Separate Data Area in the Programming Guide.

USING parameter-data-area
PDA Name:

A data area defined with DEFINE DATA OBJECT may be a parameter data area (PDA). By using a PDA as an object data area you can avoid the extra effort of creating an object data area that has the same structure as the PDA.

local-data-definition
Local Data Definition:

Data can also be defined directly using the syntax shown in Local Data Definition in the section Defining Local Data.

END-DEFINE
End of DEFINE DATA Statement:

The Natural reserved word END-DEFINE must be used to end the DEFINE DATA statement.