Defining Fields

This part describes how you define the fields you wish to use in a program. These fields can be database fields and user-defined fields.

The following topics are covered:

Use and Structure of DEFINE DATA Statement
User-Defined Variables
Function Call
Introduction to Dynamic Variables and Fields
Using Dynamic and Large Variables
User-Defined Constants
Initial Values (and the RESET Statement)
Redefining Fields
Arrays
X-Arrays

Please note that only the major options of the DEFINE DATA statement are discussed here. Further options are described in the Statements documentation.

The particulars of database fields are described in Accessing Data in an Adabas Database. On principle, the features and examples described there for Adabas also apply to other database management systems. Differences, if any, are described in the relevant database interface documentation and in the Statements documentation or Parameter Reference.