Definition Specification

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 DName+++++++++++ETDsFrom+++To/L+++IDc.Keywords+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

*Columns*	*Description*
1–5	Sequence number
6	`D`
7-21	Data item name. May be blank for filler fields or unnamed data structure.
22	Externally described: (Blank) = Program described `E` = Externally described
23	Data structure type: (Blank) = Miscellaneous definition `S` = Program status data structure `U` = Data area data structure
24-25	Type of definition: (Blank) = Data structure subfield `C` = Constant `DS` = Data structure `PI` = Procedure interface `PR` = Prototype `S` = Standalone field, array, or table
26-32	From position or reserved word
33-39	To position or length
40	Internal data type: (Blank) = Character if blank decimal positions entry; otherwise, packed numeric for standalone field or zoned numeric for subfield `A` = Character `B` = Binary numeric `C` = Unicode `D` = Date `F` = Float numeric `G` = Graphic `I` = Signed integer numeric `N` = Indicator `O` = Object `P` = Packed-decimal numeric `S` = Zoned numeric `T` = Time `U` = Unsigned integer numeric `Z` = Timestamp `*` = Basing pointer or procedure pointer
41-42	Decimal positions (0–63, blank)
43	(Reserved)
44–80	File keywords
81–100	Comments

Definition Keywords

`ALIGN`	Aligns data structure subfields of integer or float data type on word boundaries.
`ALT(array-name)`	Names a main array for use with this alternating array.
`ALTSEQ(*NONE)`	Definition ignores alternate collating sequence, if any.
`ASCEND`	Specifies that array or table entries are in ascending order.
`BASED(pointer-name)`	Names a pointer to the address of the data item.
`CCSID(*DFT \| number)`	Specifies a character code set identifier.
`CLASS(*JAVA:class-name)`	Names a class for an object definition.
`CONST{(constant)}`	Specifies the value of a named constant (optional). Indicates that a parameter is passed by read-only reference.
`CTDATA`	Specifies a compile-time table or array.
`DATFMT(format{separator})`	Default date format and separator. See Date Formats .
`DESCEND`	Specifies that array or table entries are in descending order.
`DIM(numeric-constant)`	Defines the number of elements in an array or table (1-16773104).
`DTAARA{({VAR:}data-area-name \| LDA \| *PDA)}`	Associates the data item with an external data area. May be variable, if *VAR is specified.
`EXPORT{(external-name)}`	Allows the data item to be accessed by another ILE module, using the IMPORT keyword. This ILE module allocates the storage. Allows a procedure to be accessed by another ILE module.
`EXTFLD(field-name)`	Renames a subfield in an externally described data structure.
`EXTFMT(code)`	Specifies an external data type for compile-time and pre-runtime numeric arrays and tables: `B` = Binary `C` = Unicode `F` = Float `I` = Signed integer `L` = Left sign `P` = Packed decimal `R` = Right sign `S` = Zoned decimal `U` = Unsigned integer
`EXTNAME(file-name{:format-name}{:ALL \| INPUT \| KEY \| *OUTPUT})`	Names a file (and optional record format) containing field descriptions used for subfields in data structure. Optionally, may specify fields to use.
`EXTPGM(program-name)`	Names an external program whose prototype is being defined.
`EXTPROC({proc-type{:class}:}proc-name)`	Names an external procedure whose prototype is being defined. Normally takes the format `EXTPROC(proc-name)`, but can also be any of the following: `EXTPROC(CL:proc-name)` for ILE CL procedures that require special data type handling, `EXTPROC(CWIDEN \| CNOWIDEN:proc-name)` for ILE C procedures that require special data type handling, `EXTPROC(JAVA:class-name:proc-name \| *CONSTRUCTOR)` for Java methods or for RPG procedures that will be called by Java.
`FROMFILE(file-name)`	Names a file with input data for a pre-runtime array or table.
`IMPORT{(external-name)}`	Indicates that storage for the data item is allocated in another ILE module with the EXPORT keyword. This module can use the same storage.
`INZ{(constant) \| EXTDFT \| JOB \| LIKEDS \| NULL \| SYS \|USER)`	Initializes the data item.
`LEN(number)`	Specifies the data item’s length (1-16773104), for character or graphic data.
`LIKE(name)`	Specifies that the data item’s attributes (length, type) are based on another variable. Specifies that an object’s class is the same as another object.
`LIKEDS(data-struct-name)`	Specifies that a data structure, data structure subfield, return value, or parameter has the same subfields as another data structure.
`LIKEFILE(file-name)`	Parameter is a file.
`LIKEREC(format-name{:ALL \| INPUT \| KEY \| OUTPUT})`	Specifies that a data structure, data structure subfield, return value, or parameter has the same subfields as a record format. Optionally, may specify fields to use.
`NOOPT`	Specifies that no optimization be performed for this data item.
`OCCURS(numeric-const)`	Specifies the number of occurrences of a multiple-occurrence data structure (1-16773104).
`OPDESC`	Passes operational descriptors with parameters defined within a prototype.
`OPTIONS({NOPASS} {NULLIND} {OMIT} {RIGHTADJ} {STRING} {TRIM} {*VARSIZE})`	Specifies one or more parameter-passing options: `NOPASS` = Parameter need not be passed. `NULLIND` = Null byte map will be passed with parameter. `OMIT` = OMIT is allowed for parameter. `RIGHTADJ` = Character, graphic, or UCS-2 parameter is right adjusted. `STRING` = Parameter may be a pointer or a character expression. `TRIM` = Parameter will be trimmed of blanks before being passed. `VARSIZE` = Parameter may be shorter than defined length.
`OVERLAY(name{:pos \| *NEXT})`	Specifies that a data structure subfield overlays the storage of another subfield.
`PACKEVEN`	Zeroes out the high-order digit when a packed field has an even number of digits.
`PERRCD(numeric-const)`	Specifies the number of elements per record for an array or table.
`PREFIX(prefix-string{:number})`	Specifies a string to be prefixed (added or replaced) to subfield names of an externally described data structure.
`PROCPTR`	Defines an item as a procedure pointer.
`QUALIFIED`	Specifies that the subfields in a named date structure must be qualified by the data structure name, i.e., they must be referred to in the format structure.field.
`STATIC{(*ALLTHREAD)}`	Defines a local variable within static storage, holding its value across procedure calls. Specifies a Java method as a static method. If not specified, the method is assumed to be an instance method.
`TEMPLATE`	Data item is a template, used only for LIKE or LIKEDS definitions.
`TIMFMT(format{separator})`	Specifies a time format and separator. See Time Formats .
`TOFILE(file-name)`	Specifies a file to which an array or table is to be written.
`VALUE`	Specifies that a parameter will be passed by value instead of by reference.
`VARYING{(2\|4)}`	Indicates a varying-length character or graphic field.

Usage Conventions for syntax tables

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