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**INCLUDE(**//filename// [,//section//]**) **[,ONCE]

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| **INCLUDE** | Specifies source code to be compiled which exists in a separate file which is not a MEMBER module. |
| //filename// | A string constant that contains the DOS file specification for a source file. If the extension is omitted, .CLW is assumed. |
| //section// | A string constant which is the //string// parameter of the SECTION directive marking the beginning of the source code to be included. |
| ONCE | The **ONCE** attribute precludes any INCLUDEd data from being compiled more than once, which can result in compile warnings or errors. Regarding the use of the //section// attribute, ONCE is applied on the entire //filename//, so subsequent uses of INCLUDE( //filename//, //section// ) will be ignored. |

The **INCLUDE** directive specifies source code to be compiled which exists in a separate file which is not a MEMBER module. Starting on the line of the INCLUDE directive, the source file, or the specified //section// of that file, is compiled as if it appeared in sequence within the source module being compiled. You can nest INCLUDEs up to 3 deep, so you can INCLUDE a file that includes a file that includes a file but that latter file must not include anything.

The compiler uses the Redirection file (//CurrentReleaseName//.RED) to find the file, searching the path specified for that type of //filename// (usually by extension). This makes it unnecessary to provide a complete path in the //filename// to be included. A discussion of the [[redirection file.htm|Redirection file]] is in the //User's Guide //and the //Project System// chapter of the //Programmer's Guide//.

**Example:**

**GenLedger PROCEDURE         !Declare procedure**

** ****INCLUDE****('filedefs.clw')    !Include file definitions here**

** CODE                       !Begin code section**

** ****INCLUDE****('Setups','ChkErr') !Include error check from setups.clw**

**See Also:**

[[section  specify source code section .htm|SECTION]]

[[once  prevent duplicate included data .htm|ONCE]]