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.