Identifier names
Description
You use identifiers
to name variables, labels, functions, windows, controls, menus,
and anything else you refer to in scripts.
Syntax
Rules for identifiers:
-
Must start with a letter or an _ (underscore)
-
Cannot be reserved words (see “Reserved words “)
-
Can have up to 40 characters but no spaces
-
Are not case sensitive (PART, Part, and part are
identical) -
Can include any combination of letters, numbers,
and these special characters:-
– Dash
-
_ Underscore
-
$ Dollar
sign -
# Number
sign -
% Percent
sign
-
Usage
By default, PowerBuilder allows you to use dashes in all identifiers,
including in variable names in a script. However, this means that
when you use the subtraction operator or the — operator
in a script, you must surround it with spaces. If you do not, PowerBuilder
interprets the expression as an identifier name.
If you want to disallow dashes in variable names in scripts,
you can change the setting of the Allow Dashes in Identifiers option
in the script editor’s property sheet. As a result, you
do not have to surround the subtraction operator and the decrement
assignment shortcut (—) with spaces.
Be careful
If you disallow dashes and have previously used dashes in
variable names, you will get errors the next time you compile.
Examples
Valid identifiers
|
1 |
ABC_Code |
|
1 |
Child-Id |
|
1 |
FirstButton |
|
1 |
response35 |
|
1 |
pay-before%deductions$ |
|
1 |
ORDER_DATE |
|
1 |
Actual-$-amount |
|
1 |
Part# |
Invalid identifiers
|
1 |
2nd-quantity // Does not start with a letter |
|
1 |
ABC Code // Contains a space |
|
1 |
Child'sId // Contains invalid special character |