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The number sign (#) marks preprocessor directives, which provide instructions to the dBASE Plus compiler. Preprocessor directives may be used in programs only.

Use directives in your dBL code to perform such compile-time actions as replacing text throughout your program, perform conditional compilations, include other source files, or specify compiler options.

The symbol must be the non-blank first character on a line, followed by the directive (with no space), followed by any conditions or parameters for the directive.

For example, you might use this statement:

#include "IDENT.H"

to include a source file named IDENT.H (the "H" extension us generally used to identify the file as a "header" file) in the compilation. The included file might contain its own directives, such as constant definitions:

//file IDENT.H: constant definitions for MYPROG

#define COMPANY_NAME "Nobody's Business"

#define NUM_EMPLOYEES 1

#define COUNTRY "Liechtenstein"

For a complete listing of all dBASE Plus preprocessor directives, along with syntax and examples for each, see Preprocessor.