General syntax of DEFINE DATA LOCAL:
DEFINE DATA |
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LOCAL |
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USING |
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local-data-area |
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| parameter-data-area | |||||||||
direct-data-definition
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END-DEFINE |
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This document covers the following topics:
For an explanation of the symbols used in the syntax diagram, see Syntax Symbols.
The DEFINE DATA LOCAL statement is used to define the data
elements that are to be used exclusively by a single Natural module in an
application. These elements or fields can be defined in different ways:
either within the DEFINE DATA LOCAL statement itself,
using the direct-data-definition syntax
(see Direct Data
Definition)
or outside the program in a separate LDA (Local Data
Area) or PDA (Parameter Data
Area), with the DEFINE DATA LOCAL USING
statement referencing that data area.
The LDA and the objects which reference it must be contained in the same library (or in a steplib).
| Syntax Element | Description |
|---|---|
local-data-area |
LDA Name:
Specify the name of the local data area (LDA) to be referenced. An LDA is created with the Data Area
Editor. It contains predefined data elements
which can be included in the You may reference more than one data area; in that case you have to
repeat the reserved words DEFINE DATA LOCAL LOCAL USING DATX_L LOCAL USING DATX_P ... END-DEFINE ; For further information, see also Defining Fields in a Separate Data Area and Local Data Area, Example 2 in the Programming Guide. |
parameter-data-area |
PDA Name:
Specify the name of a parameter data area (PDA). Note: A PDA is created with the Data Area Editor. For further information, see Parameter Data Area in the Programming Guide. |
direct-data-definition |
Direct Data Definition:
For information on how to define elements or fields within the statement itself, that is, without using an LDA or PDA, see the section Direct Data Definition below. |
END-DEFINE |
End of DEFINE DATA Statement:
The Natural reserved word
|
Local data can be defined directly within a program or routine. For direct data definition, the following syntax applies:
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level |
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group-name [(array-definition)] |
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| variable-definition | |||||
| view-definition | |||||
| redefinition |
For further information, see
Example 1 - DEFINE DATA LOCAL (Direct Data Definition)
Defining Fields within a DEFINE DATA Statement in the Programming Guide
Local Data Area, Example 1 in the Programming Guide
Syntax Element Description for Direct Data Definition:
| Syntax Element | Description |
|---|---|
level |
Level Number:
Level number is a 1- or 2-digit number in the range from 01 to 99 (the leading zero is optional) used in conjunction with field grouping. Fields assigned a level number of 02 or greater are considered to be a part of the immediately preceding group which has been assigned a lower level number. The definition of a group enables reference to a series of fields
(may also be only 1 field) by using the group name. With certain statements
( A group may consist of other groups. When assigning the level numbers for a group, no level numbers may be skipped. A view-definition must always be defined at Level 1. |
group-name |
Group Name:
The name of a group. The name must adhere to the rules for defining a Natural variable name. See also the following sections:
|
array-definition |
Array Dimension
Definition:
With an
|
variable-definition |
Variable
Definition:
A See Variable Definition. |
view-definition |
View
Definition:
A See View Definition. |
redefinition |
Redefinition:
A See Redefinition. |
