Planning Initial Settings › Customizing Messages › Creating a Custom Message Table › Message Table Syntax Rules

Message Table Syntax Rules

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

• 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 which 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 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 through 9. Optionally, special formatting can be requested in the following ways:
  • A vertical bar (|) preceding the parameter number (n) indicates that leading blanks are removed.
  • A vertical bar (|) following the parameter number (n) indicates that trailing blanks are removed.
  • Periods (.) preceding the parameter number (n) indicate that the substituted variable is 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 is 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.