Utilities and Other Interfaces › Message Facility › Message Table Syntax Rules

Message Table Syntax Rules

The following syntax rules govern the statements placed in the message table members. The variable substitution capabilities used in the text parameter of the MSG statement are also discussed here.

• Only columns 1-71 are examined.
• Leading and trailing blanks are discarded.
• Comments may be inserted freely, and are designated by an asterisk (*) in column 1.
• Any line that ends with a comma (,) or a plus sign (+) is assumed to be continued on the next line; when splitting message text across lines, the (+) is converted to a single blank.
• Up to nine variable substitutions may be requested with the text of each message. The “at” sign designates each substitution (@). Each substitution is numbered by @n, where n is a decimal number from 1-9. Optionally, special formatting may be requested in the following ways:
  • A vertical bar (|) preceding the parameter number (n) indicates leading blanks should be removed.
  • A vertical bar (|) following the parameter number (n) indicates trailing blanks should be removed.
  • Periods (.) preceding the parameter number (n) indicate the substituted variable should be right justified, after removing leading and trailing blanks. The width of the inserted field is 2, plus the number of periods. The substituted variable is truncated if necessary.
  • Inserting periods (.) following the parameter number (n) indicates the substituted variable should be left justified, after removing leading and trailing blanks. The width of the inserted field is 2, plus the number of periods. The substituted variable is truncated if necessary.