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
