Syntax options: FORWARD_REFERENCES | NO FORWARD_REFERENCES The EXPORT statement analyzes all dependencies in the database to determine which functions and procedures are referenced by other definitions. Since IMPORT defines each object type in a strict order, it is possible that some definitions may be used prior to their definition. For instance, tables are defined before modules, but the table might call an SQL function from a module. The FORWARD_REFERENCES option requests that EXPORT save descriptions of these routines first in the interchange file so that IMPORT can declare them prior to their usage. See the DECLARE Routine statement for more details. FORWARD_REFERENCES is the default. If the interchange file is to be used by a version prior to Oracle Rdb V7.1.0.4 then the NO FORWARD_REFERENCES option should be used to exclude this information.