HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
DEFINE(ITEM) Statement DEFINE(ITEM) statements are used to define data items that are not defined in a data dictionary, or to redefine data items that are defined in a data dictionary. If you use a data dictionary, data items not defined in the data dictionary may include temporary variables or any data items that you must explicitly redefine for your program. If you are not using a data dictionary, then you must explicitly define every data item in your program in one or more DEFINE(ITEM) statements. The DEFINE(ITEM) statement in Figure 2-1 defines the fields in the ORDER KSAM file used in the ORDINF program. Although DEFINE(ITEM) statements may appear anywhere in a program, it is a good practice to place any needed statements immediately after the SYSTEM statement. DEFINE(ITEM) statements that follow the SYSTEM statement define data globally to the Transact program. To define data that is local to a program segment, include the DEFINE(ITEM) statements in that segment. Program segmentation is discussed in Chapter 9. See Chapter 8 for detailed specifications for DEFINE(ITEM) statements.