# Directives

DATA | Define Data Elements

## Format

DATA expression[$][, ...]
Where:

expression[$], ... | A series of string or numeric expressions.

## Description

Use the DATA directive to define the values for the READ DATA directive. The values to be read can include constants, variables, and/or expressions. You can use a formatted IOList with a READ DATA statement. When PxPlus executes the READ DATA directive, it evaluates each expression in order and places its value into the corresponding variable(s) defined in the READ DATA directive.

When PxPlus progresses through reading the data, it increments an internal pointer to the next data expression. When the end of DATA statement is reached, PxPlus proceeds to the next DATA statement in the program. PxPlus returns Error #2: END-OF-FILE on read or File full on write when no further DATA statements exist in the program.

#### Note:
You cannot use the DATA directive in a compound statement.

## See Also

READ DATA Read Data from Program
RESTORE Reset Program Data Position
BEGIN Reset Files and Variables
LOAD Read Program into Memory

## Example

0010 data 1,"Dog"
0020 data 2,"Cat"
0030 data 3,"Pig"
0040 read data n,x$,err=DONE
0050 print n,x$
0060 goto 0040
0070 DONE: print "done"
0080 end
->run
1Dog
2Cat
3Pig done