# Compiler Symbol Definitions > [HTML Version](compilersymboldefinitions.htm) The following command line switch supports passing symbol definitions into the compiler. Syntax: **/C:symbol \{=value\}** **Example** COMPIL MYPROG/RC/C:APPVER=2/C:GUI="VISTA" This specifies the /RC switch, plus two instances of /C to define two symbols, APPVER=2 and GUI="VISTA". These definitions are treated exactly as if the following had been inserted at the top of the MYPROG source code: define APPVER=2 define GUI="VISTA" Note the need for quotes when defining a string symbol per the normal rules of the [DEFINE](define_compiler.htm.md) statement. If the =value clause not specified, it is treated as = 0, i.e. the symbol is defined (responds to ++IFDEF but it has a null value. **Example** [COMPILER\_VERSION Macro](compiler_version_macro.htm.md)