An identifier is a combination of letters, digits, dollar signs ($), and underscores (_) that conform to the following restrictions: o An identifier cannot start with a digit. o An identifier cannot contain any space or special symbols. o The first 31 characters must denote a unique name within the block in which the identifier is declared. An identifier longer than 31 characters generates a warning message; the compiler ignores characters beyond the thirty-first character. An identifier cannot start or end with an underscore, nor can two adjacent
1 – Predeclared Identifiers
Predeclared identifiers name data types, symbolic constants and file variables, procedures, and functions. You can redefine a predeclared identifier, but, if you do, the original declaration becomes unavailable within the block in which you redeclared the word. Examples of predeclared identifiers include ADDRESS, COS, INTEGER, SQR and TRUE.
2 – User Defined Identifiers
User identifiers denote the names of programs, modules, symbolic constants, variables, procedures, functions, program sections, and user-defined types. They represent significant data structures, or values and actions that are not represented by reserved words, predeclared identifiers, or special symbols.