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<h1 CLASS=ChapName>Developing the Definition File</h1>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>This section describes the basic process for developing 
 a Definition File for Post.</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>This section pertains to:</p>

<ul>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet>Recommended procedure 
 for developing a Definition File</p></li>
	
	<li class=kadov-p-CListBullet><p CLASS=ListBullet><span style="font-style: normal;">Inheritance 
 of Definition Files</span></p></li>
</ul>

<h1>Recommended Procedure for Developing a Definition File</h1>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>When creating a Definition File for Post, it is not 
 necessary to start building from an empty file. There are a number of 
 Definition File templates for you to use as a starting point when creating 
 a Definition File for your specific machine tool.</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>Start by selecting the Definition File template with 
 characteristics that most closely match the characteristics of the machine 
 that you are creating the new Definition File for. The Definition File 
 templates that are provided contain &quot;commonly used&quot; formats 
 for Format, Address and Block Template statements.</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>Review the Format statements contained in the Definition 
 File template and make sure that there is an appropriate Format statement 
 to cover all the data formats required by your machine controller. You 
 will need to create a Format statement for any situation that is not already 
 included in the template.</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>You will also need to review all the ADDRESS statements 
 included in the template and, using the existing ones as a guide, add 
 any additional ones that may be needed by your machine controller. You 
 also need to review the Format, data ranges and other data associated 
 with each existing ADDRESS statement to make sure that they meet the requirements 
 of your controller. Modify each existing ADDRESS statement as necessary.</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>Finally, review all the BLOCK_TEMPLATE statements included 
 in the Definition File template and, using the existing ones as a guide, 
 add any additional block templates that may be needed by your controller. 
 You also need to review the contents and structure of each existing BLOCK_TEMPLATE 
 command to make sure that it meets the requirements of your machine controller. 
 Modify each existing BLOCK_TEMPLATE as necessary.</p>

<h1><a NAME=inherit></a>Inheritance of Definition Files</h1>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>When developing your Definition File, you can include 
 one or more existing Definition files. Post will use the statements contained 
 in the inherited files unless they are redefined in the current Definition 
 File, in which case the the inherited statements will be overridden. To 
 develop your Definition Files use the &quot;INCLUDE &lt;<span style="font-style: italic;">file 
 name</span>&gt;&quot; command.</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>In the case where multiple Definition files are inherited 
 , a statement in the second inherited file will override a statement with 
 the same name in the first inherited file. Likewise, the statements in 
 a third inherited file will override the statements in the second and 
 so on. Finally, a statement in the current Definition File will override 
 all statements with the same name contained in any of the inherited files.</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph>Using this capability will allow you to quickly and 
 easily develop Definition Files for similar postprocessors. By inheriting 
 the Format, ADDRESS, and BLOCK_TEMPLATE statements from existing definition 
 files, you only need to define modified, or additional, statements in 
 the Definition File that you are developing to account for the differences.</p>

<p CLASS=Paragraph
	style="margin-bottom: 0;">A similar capability exists for inheriting 
 existing Event Handler files in the Event Handler that you are developing. 
 For more information, refer to <a HREF="../event_hdler/event_handler.html#event_handler"><span 
 style="font-weight: bold;">Inheritance of Event Handler Files</span></a>. 
 </p>

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