This document covers the following topics:
The DEFINE DATA statement offers a number of clauses to declare data
definitions for use within a Natural program, either by referencing predefined data
definitions contained in a local data area (LDA), global data area (GDA) or parameter data
area (PDA), or by writing in-line definitions.
When a DEFINE DATA statement is used, it must be the first statement of
the program/routine.
An "empty"
DEFINE DATA statement is not allowed; at least one clause (GLOBAL, PARAMETER, LOCAL, INDEPENDENT, CONTEXT or OBJECT) must be specified.
You can specify more than one clause. However, if the GLOBAL and the
PARAMETER clauses are used, GLOBAL must be the first
clause of the statement and PARAMETER must follow GLOBAL
(without GLOBAL, PARAMETER comes first if used). All other
clauses can be specified in any order.
The Natural reserved word END-DEFINE must be used to end
the DEFINE DATA statement.
The DEFINE DATA statement is available in structured mode and in reporting mode. Differences are marked
accordingly in the DEFINE DATA statement description.
Generally, the following applies:
All variables to be used, except application-independent variables (AIVs), must be defined in the
DEFINE DATA statement; they must not be defined elsewhere in the program.
If a DEFINE DATA INDEPENDENT
statement is used, AIVs must not be defined elsewhere in the program.
The DEFINE DATA statement is not mandatory since variables may be defined
in the body of the program. However, if a DEFINE
DATA LOCAL statement is used in reporting mode, variables, except
application-independent variables (AIVs), must not be defined elsewhere in the program;
and if a DEFINE DATA
INDEPENDENT statement is used, application-independent variables (AIVs) must not be defined elsewhere in
the program.
