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

Message Table Syntax Rules

The following syntax rules govern the statements that are placed in the message table members. The variable substitution capabilities that are used in the MSG Statement text parameter are:

• Only columns 1-71 are examined.
• Leading and trailing blanks are discarded.
• Comments can 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 can be requested using text in each message. The “at” sign designates each substitution (@). Each substitution is numbered by @n, where n is a decimal number 1-9. Optionally, special formatting can be requested in the following ways:
  • A vertical bar (|) preceding the parameter number (n) indicates that leading blanks can be removed. The vertical bar can be coded as either X’6A’ or X’4F’, depending on the emulator.
  • A vertical bar (|) following the parameter number (n) indicates that trailing blanks can be removed. The vertical bar can be coded as either X’6A’ or X’4F’, depending on the emulator.
  • Periods (.) preceding the parameter number (n) indicate that the substituted variable can 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 that the substituted variable can 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.