Symbolic Names

A symbolic name is a name that uniquely identifies a specific entity in a program or procedure. In the RPG IV language, symbolic names are used for the following:

• Arrays (see Array Names)
• Conditional compile names (see Conditional Compile Names)
• Data structures (see Data Structure Names)
• Exception output records (see EXCEPT Names)
• Fields (see Field Names)
• Key field lists (see KLIST Names)
• Labels (see Labels)
• Named constants (see Named Constants)
• Parameter lists (see PLIST Names)
• Prototype names (see Prototype Names)
• Record names (see Record Names)
• Subroutines (see Subroutine Names)
• Tables (see Table Names).

The following rules apply to all symbolic names except for deviations noted in the description of each symbolic name:

• The first character of the name must be alphabetic. This includes the characters $, #, and @.
• The remaining characters must be alphabetic or numeric. This includes the underscore (_).
• The name must be left-adjusted in the entry on the specification form except in fields which allow the name to float (definition specification, keyword fields, and the extended factor 2 field).
• A symbolic name cannot be an RPG IV reserved word.
• A symbolic name can be from 1 to 4096 characters. The practical limits are determined by the size of the entry used for defining the name. A name that is up to 15 characters can be specified in the Name entry of the definition or procedure specification. For names longer than 15 characters, use a continuation specification. For more information, see Chapter 11. About Specifications.
• A symbolic name must be unique within the procedure in which it is defined.