HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
DEFINE Command The DEFINE command defines an abbreviation for an expression (defines a macro) for subsequent referencing in the current logic block. Format DEFINE %definition_name% expression Parameters definition_name A string, consisting of 1 to 4 characters, which identifies the expression. expression May be any series of characters that are to be inserted into a logic command. Description The DEFINE command defines a macro. That is, it equates a definition name to an expression so you can use the abbreviated name in place of the expression in subsequent commands in the same logic block. You must always surround the abbreviation by percent signs (%) whenever you use it in a command. When HP ALLBASE/4GL encounters the construct%xxxx% (where xxxx is the abbreviation), it replaces the abbreviation with the defined expression. HP ALLBASE/4GL replaces the abbreviation with the expression before it performs any syntax checking or generation. Using DEFINE macros can simplify some changes to HP ALLBASE/4GL logic commands. For example, if you equate a file name to a DEFINE macro, any changes to the file name simply require a change to one command, assuming all subsequent commands in the same logic block use the abbreviated form of the file name. Limitations DEFINE commands must be at the beginning of the logic block and precede all other commands in the logic block. The DEFINE command is only valid within one logic block. If you want to use the same abbreviation in several logic blocks, you must define the abbreviation in each logic block. The DEFINE command cannot be used to define abbreviations for logic command names or command arguments. Example 1 DEFINE %F% TRANS.UNITCOST DEFINE %kf% V-Current_Key FILE *READ %F% *KEY= %kf% MATH F-YEARLY_CST.%F% / 12 = V-EST_MTH_COST These commands equate the file reference TRANS.UNITCOST to F, and the key V-Current_Key to kf. You can subsequently reference either by entering %F% in place of the file name and %kf% in place of the file's key specification.