3.8.1 Rules for the Editor
Following are the general rules for code syntax in LANSA:
- The object type determines the structure of the source code.
- The object type determines the commands allowed.
- You can enter one statement or command per line.
- The first character of a command line must not be blank.
- Blank characters are not allowed between a parameter name and its first bracket.
For example, FUNCTION OPTIONS( *DIRECT ) is correct. FUNCTION OPTIONS ( *DIRECT ) is incorrect and will be flagged as an error.
- The editor is not case sensitive.
- You do not need to end statements with a semicolon.
- To comment out a line, use an asterisk (*).
- A comment line in RDMLX code can be up 2048 bytes in length. The limit of 55 characters still applies for RDML code.
- The syntax of the commands is checked as you type.
- You cannot have blank lines in an RDML function, but blank lines are allowed in RDMLX code.
For Visual LANSA components note that:
- A component definition must be enclosed inside BEGIN_COM and END_COM statements.
- With the exception of DEFINE_MAP, all definition statements must be placed before event routines. This means that DEFINE_COM, DEFINE_EVT and DEFINE_PTY statements are always defined in the beginning of the component. DEFINE_MAP must either follow the DEFINE_EVT statement it belongs to or it has to be placed inside a PTYROUTINE or a MTHROUTINE statement.
- All code, except for definition statements, must be written inside an event routine or a subroutine.