ProvideX V8.20 > Language Reference > Preface
xiv
Conventions
The following syntax items appear throughout the ProvideX Language Reference to
explain what is needed in the format of a program statement.
...
Dots indicate the continuation of a list of elements.
[]
Square brackets enclose optional elements in the format. For example, in
ABS(num[,ERR=stmtref]) you can omit the ERR=stmtref portion of the
statement as in ABS(X-Y). (Exceptions are noted for individual commands
where the brackets are "real"; i.e., part of the syntax.)
{}
Curly brackets enclose a list of elements in syntax formats where it is
mandatory to select one item. For example, with {YES | NO}, you must
select either YES or NO. In descriptions in this manual, they denote
{bitmap / icon} buttons. (Exceptions are noted for individual commands
where the brackets are "real"; i.e., part of the syntax.)
Vertical bars (pipes) separate a choices; e.g., {YES | NO}.
|
chan
Channel or logical file number. It must be an integer between 0 and 127. This
identifies the channel to which your directive applies; e.g., CLOSE (14).
· Channel zero (0) is the console. If you omit the channel, the system
defaults to 0 (the console).
· Channels 1 to 63 are commonly used for local files.
· Channels 64 to 127 are used for global files.
channels range from 0-32767 for local files, and 32768-65000 for global files.
col,ln,
Position/coordinates. Numeric expressions. Column and line coordinates for
wth,ht
top left corner, width in number of columns, and height in number of lines.
ctrlopt,
Optional syntax elements -- three-character codes followed by an equals
fileopt
sign and argument (DOM=3250). For a list of typical options, see
stmtref
Statement reference. This can be either a line label or line number of a
statement in the current program. Line numbers must be in the range of 0
to 64999.
If your given line number does not exist, ProvideX goes to the statement
with the next higher line number. For example, if line 1000 doesn't exist
and 1010 is the next line number, then for GOTO 1000 ProvideX will go to
Exception: ProvideX verifies the existence of an IOList and stmtref for
IOL=stmtref. It does not proceed to the next higher statement number.
varlist
List of comma-separated variables. Typically, a mix of string and/or
numeric variables is acceptable; e.g., DEPT,ITEM,DESC$... (See
individual directives for restrictions.)