A parameter can be declared in several ways depending on whether it is a scalar or a vector, whether or not it has a default value, and whether or not it is a ``constant.'' Some example declarations are:
parameter int fred constant parameter float jim := 5 parameter float george[10] parameter float ted[3] = [2.0 1.7 11] parameter string name := "file_name" constant parameter string comments[2] := ["comment 1" "comment 2"]
As the examples show, the parameter declaration begins with the reserved word parameter (optionally preceded by the reserved word constant). This is followed by a type which can be int , float , or string. Next comes a name with a size specification if the parameter is a vector. Finally, there is an optional assignment statement consisting of either = or := and a value.
Parameters provide a means of getting information to the program at run time. The use of parameters is discussed in section 4.1.