TAL Reference Manual

Language Elements

TAL Reference Manual—526371-001

2-6

Variables

A variable is a symbolic representation of data. It can be a single-element variable or a

multiple-element variable. You use variables to store data that can change during

program execution.

The compiler does not automatically initialize variables. Therefore, before you access

data stored in an a variable, either:

•

Initialize the variable with a value when you declare the variable

•

Assign a value to the variable after you declare the variable. Table 2-5 summarizes

variables.

Symbols

Symbols indicate indirection, address bases, and delimiters.

Decimal

Binary

%B101111

Octal

%57

Hexadecimal

%H2F

Table 2-5. Variables

Variable Description

Simple Variable A variable that contains one element of a specified data type

Array A variable that contains multiple elements of the same data type

Structure A variable that can contain variables of different data types

Substructure A structure nested within a structure or substructure

Structure data item A simple variable, array, simple pointer, substructure, or structure

pointer declared in a structure or substructure; also known as a

structure field

Simple pointer A variable that contains a memory address, usually of a simple

variable or an array element, which you can access with this simple

pointer

Structure pointer A variable that contains the memory address of a structure, which

you can access with this structure pointer