Globally defines a compile-time constant (preprocessor name).
Syntax
&GLOBAL-DEFINE preprocessor-name definition
preprocessor-name
The preprocessor name (compile-time constant) that you supply. ABL reserved keywords are allowed, but cannot be used in preprocessor expressions.
definition
A string of characters (or preprocessor references that evaluate to a string of characters) whose content the preprocessor substitutes for preprocessor-name during compilation. If the definition is longer than one line, a tilde (~) at the end of a line indicates continuation to the next line.
Examples
In this example, the preprocessor name MAX-EXPENSE is defined as the text string "5000":
&GLOBAL-DEFINE MAX-EXPENSE 5000
Wherever the reference {&MAX-EXPENSE} appears in the source code, the preprocessor substitutes the text string "5000". For example, the preprocessor changes this line of code:
IF tot-amount <= {&MAX-EXPENSE} THEN DO:
To this line:
IF tot-amount <= 5000 THEN DO:
Notes
You must place the &GLOBAL-DEFINE directive at the beginning of a line, preceded only by blanks, tab characters, or comments (/* comment */). The preprocessor trims all leading and trailing spaces from definition.
The syntax of the &GLOBAL-DEFINE and &SCOPED-DEFINE directives are identical but these directives are used differently.
If a duplicate &GLOBAL-DEFINE directive is used with out first
You must place the &GLOBAL-DEFINE directive at the beginning of a line, preceded only by blanks, tab characters, or comments (/* comment */). The preprocessor trims all leading and trailing spaces from definition.