&GLOBAL-DEFINE preprocessor directive

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

See also 

{ } Preprocessor name reference, &SCOPED-DEFINE preprocessor directive, &UNDEFINE preprocessor directive, DEFINED preprocessor function