pTAL Reference Manual (H06.08+)

Compiler Directives
HP pTAL Reference Manual—523746-006
17-25
COLUMNS
The columns-value active at any given time depends on the context, as follows:
•
The main input file initially has the columns-value set by the last COLUMNS
directive in the compilation command. If there was no COLUMNS directive in the
compilation command, the main input file initially has the default columns-value
of 132.
•
At each SOURCE directive, each included file initially has the columns-value
active when the SOURCE directive appeared.
•
At each SECTION directive, columns-value is set by the last COLUMNS
directive before the first SECTION directive in the included file. If there is no such
COLUMNS directive, each SECTION initially has the columns-value active at
the beginning of the included file.
•
Within a section, a COLUMNS directive sets the columns-value only until the
next COLUMNS or SECTION directive or the end of the file.
•
After a SOURCE directive completes execution (that is, after all sections listed in
the SOURCE directive are read or the end of the file is reached), the compiler
restores columns-value to what it was when the SOURCE directive appeared.
•
In all other cases, columns-value is set by the most recently processed
COLUMNS directive.
If a SOURCE directive lists sections, the compiler processes no source code outside
the listed sections except any COLUMNS directives that appear before the first
SECTION directive in the included file. For more information about including files or
sections, see SOURCE on page 17-60 and SECTION on page 17-57.
Default: COLUMNS 132
Placement:
•
Anywhere, but if COLUMNS appears in the source code, it must be
the only directive on the directive line
•
Typically specified before any SECTION directive
Scope: Applies to all source code that follows it unless overridden by:
•
Another COLUMNS directive in the same source file (not
recommended)
•
A COLUMNS directive in a source file included by means of a
SOURCE directive
•
A COLUMNS directive in a section identified by a SECTION
directive
For details, see the explanation that follows this table.
Dependencies: None
References:
•
SECTION on page 17-57
•
SOURCE on page 17-60