# $options directive

The $options directive sets compatibility options for the FlashBASIC
 or BASIC compiler.

## Syntax

```
 $options {tag}
```

## Parameter(s)

| AP | Provides code compatibility with previous releases (provided new features are not used). |
| --- | --- |
| DEFAULT | Extended. Provides as many statements and functions as are available. This is the default setting and is the same as EXT. Use as the new development default setting. |
| EXT | Extended. Provides as many statements and functions as are available. This is the default setting and is the same as DEFAULT. Use as the new development default setting.Because many new functions are allowed, array references in existing code might need to be changed to some other name for proper compilation. |
| GA | General Automation. Similar to the EXT option, but provides tighter GA compatibility with regard to the locate and match statements.Note: It is suggested not to use this mode for new development, as this setting disallows any functions not provided by General Automation Pick. |
| IN2 | Currently the same as EXT. CAUTION: Never use this setting for new development. |
| INFORMATION | Prime Information. Currently the same as EXT. CAUTION: Never use this setting for new development. |
| mvBase | Provides the same features as EXT, but supports the mvBase syntax for the ifr and input statements. Additionally, supports the timeout, nxtkey, and prvkey statements.CAUTION: Never use this setting for new development. |
| PICK | Pick System’s R83. Same as R83. |
| R83 | Pick System’s R83. Currently the same as AP. CAUTION: Never use this setting for new development. |
| REALITY | Currently the same as EXT. CAUTION: Never use this setting for new development. |

## Description

The $options directive allows the use of new
 statements and functions, as well as closer functional compatibility
 with other versions of Pick.

- It is suggested to use the $options directive at the top of the preferred modules.

- It is illegal to use the $options directive multiple times within the same source item. Also, any statements displaying on the same line after the $options directive are ignored.

## Example(s)

```

 $options ext
 x="abc"
 print ereplace(x,"a","b")
 "bbc"
```

## See also

- [@ shell variable](https://d3codex.com/tcl/shell-variable/)
- [compare statement](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/compare-statement/)
- [Compiler directives](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/compiler-directives/)
- [convert() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/convert-function/)
- [dquote() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/dquote-function/)
- [exchange() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/exchange-function/)
- [fmt() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/fmt-function/)
- [ifr statement](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/ifr-statement/)
- [inmat() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/inmat-function/)
- [input statement](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/input-statement/)
- [maximum() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/maximum-function/)
- [minimum() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/minimum-function/)
- [nxtkey statement](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/nxtkey-statement/)
- [prvkey statement](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/prvkey-statement/)
- [remove statement](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/remove-statement/)
- [scan() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/scan-function/)
- [set command](https://d3codex.com/tcl/set-command/)
- [squote() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/squote-function/)
- [status() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/status-function/)
- [summation() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/summation-function/)
- [swap() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/swap-function/)
- [timeout statement](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/timeout-statement/)
- [trimb() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/trimb-function/)
- [trimf() function](https://d3codex.com/pickbasic-flashbasic/trimf-function/)

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