Programming Guide - Actian

VariablesVariablesOpenROAD variables contain or point to data that the application manipulates.This can be data that is displayed to the user or used solely in scripts andprocedures.In OpenROAD, a variable is associated either with the application (globalvariables) or with a specific frame, procedure, method, field script, or eventblock (local variables).Global variables provide data that is pertinent to the entire application and areavailable for use in any script or procedure. You use the OpenROADWorkbench to declare a global variable for your application. For moreinformation about declaring global variables, see the User Guide.Local variables contain data that is associated with a specific frame, procedure,method, field script, or event block. Local variables include:• Variables declared in the initialize statement for a frame or a field scriptThese frame variables are not associated with fields and the information inthem is not displayed to the user directly.• Variables associated with field and menu itemsYou declare these local variables implicitly when you create the fields on aform. The information in them is displayed directly on the form, or you candeclare them at runtime as described in the Language Reference Guideonline help. When a variable is associated with a field on the displayedform, setting its value updates the display to show the new value.Conversely, referring to the variable reflects the current setting of thedisplayed form, including updates performed by the user.• Variables declared in a procedure, method, or event block definitionThese variables are not associated with fields, and the information in themis not displayed to the user directly. They are available for use only in theprocedure, method, or event block that defines them.There are three types of variables in OpenROAD:• Simple variables• Reference variables• Dynamic array variablesLanguage Elements 25