PUBLIC

    PUBLIC makes memory variables and/or arrays global by enabling them to
    be used by all procedures within a program.

Syntax

    PUBLIC <memvar list>

Arguments

    <memvar list> is the list of memory variables and/or arrays to declare
    PUBLIC.  If an array is specified, it is created according to the
    dimension specified.

Option

    Clipper: To include Clipper extensions in a program and still allow
    the program to run under dBASE III PLUS the special memory variable
    "clipper" is initialized to true (.T.) when declared PUBLIC.  Using
    "clipper" as the argument of an IF..ENDIF construct blocks Clipper-
    specific code so these lines of code are not executed when run under
    dBASE III PLUS.

    Note: Compilation errors occur when the syntax of the dBASE III
    PLUS commands is not supported.  In this instance, comment out
    statements that you do not want compiled.

 Usage

    Declaring a memory variable PUBLIC when the variable does not exist
    creates a new logical memory variable that is false (.F.).  Once
    assigned a value, its scope is global and the variable becomes
    available to all procedures within the program.  Note that you cannot
    declare an existing private variable PUBLIC.  If you do this, Clipper
    simply ignores the declaration and the memory variable retains its
    private status and scope.  Public variables, however, can be
    temporarily hidden from other procedures by declaring them PRIVATE.

    Arrays: In addition to declaring PUBLIC memory variables, you can
    declare PUBLIC arrays.  Declaring an array PUBLIC creates an array with
    the specified number of elements whose scope is all procedures in the
    current program.  Note, however, that PUBLIC array elements are
    undefined until assigned a value.

Example

    The following is an example of code using the PUBLIC memory variable
    "clipper" to allow Clipper enhancements in a program that runs under
    interpretive dBASE:

                     PUBLIC Clipper            
                     IF clipper                
                        @ 1,0,3,10 BOX "*"     
                     ELSE                      
                        @ 1,0 say "**********" 
                        @ 2,0 say "*        *" 
                        @ 3,0 say "**********" 
                     ENDIF