# $DEFINE directive

The $DEFINE directive supplies replacement text for a symbol and
 defines a symbol used to control the compilation of the program.

## Syntax

```
 $DEFINE identifier {replacement-text}
```

## Parameter(s)

| identifier | Specifies the symbol to be defined. |
| --- | --- |
| replacement-text | Specifies a string of characters that the compiler uses to replace each occurrence of the symbol in the current program. The replacement-text parameter is terminated by a RETURN. |

## Description

A single space separates the identifier from the replacement text. Every character that
 appears after this space, and up to (but not including) the RETURN character, is considered part
 of the *replacement-text* parameter. This includes any comments that might
 appear on the same line as the $DEFINE directive.Important: Do not include comments
 on the same line as the $DEFINE directive. Text appearing on the same line
 as the $DEFINE directive after the identifier plus one space is used as
 replacement text.

 When used to replace symbol text, the specified identifier and any associated replacement text
 is added to the symbol table. Every occurrence of the symbol following the
 $DEFINE directive is replaced by the replacement text. If no replacement
 text is specified, the symbol is defined with a value of null.

## Example(s)

**Example 1**

 TEST. DEF

```

 001 $DEFINE GREETINGS PRINT TIMEDATE();PRINT 'Hello'
 002 GREETINGS
```

 **Example 2**

 PLATFORM

```

 001 $DEFINE PLATFORM.D3
```

## See also

- [$IFDEF directive](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/ifdef-directive/)
- [$IFNDEF directive](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/ifndef-directive/)
- [$UNDEFINE directive](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/undefine-directive/)
- [Compiler directives](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/compiler-directives/)

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Source: https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/define-directive/ - part of the D3Codex reference.