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Batch Syntax Conventions

The syntax diagrams are in railroad track format. Here are some rules of thumb:

• Read the diagrams from left to right and from top to bottom.
• The required portion of reserved words is CAPITALIZED. Optional keywords are in lowercase standard. Variables are in lowercase italic.
• A required clause rests on the line, an optional clause, following the line. When you encounter a stack of choices, if the top item rests on the line, choose one of the items in the stack. If the top item swings following the line, the stack is optional.
• You must enter a period at the end of every command. Anything entered after the period will not be part of that command. If no period is found, the system generates an error message. In the Batch syntax, a period indicates that you should enter a period at the end of this clause.
• If you enter a value with an embedded period or space, or the value is a keyword, you must enclose that value with quotes. Also note that if you want to enter a value for version, you must enter a non-negative integer. If you want to enter a value for version=*, you must enter a non-negative integer or an asterisk (*).

  You cannot use quotation marks in the VERSION field of any commands in the Batch facility.

• Used within a choice stack, an arrow indicates that the value indicated (pointed at) is the default. This value is used in processing the clause if none of the values in the bracket are specified.
• Parenthesis () indicate a compound list. This enables you to specify more than one value for a selection. For example, in the following clause:

  SIGNOUT FUNCTIONS (Y Y Y)

  The three flags are all set to Y. Any parentheses that are included in a syntax diagram must be coded.