Syntax Rules

The following syntax rules apply to the coding of most initialization statements:

Any columns between 1 and 71 can contain data; columns 72 to 80 are ignored.
Records with blanks in columns 1 through 71, or an asterisk (*) in column 1, are ignored.
The statement keyword must start in column 1. Only one statement can be coded per record, although several parameters can be coded on the same record.
Simple statements consist of the name, followed by an equal sign (=), and then the value.
A statement name is separated from the parameters by at least one blank; commas separate parameters.
Parameters can be continued on successive records; a comma followed by a blank indicates continuation. Comments cannot be continued.
Parameters cannot contain embedded blanks. The first blank terminates the parameter statement, and the rest of the record is considered to contain comments.
Character specifications, unless otherwise noted, can include any alphanumeric or national characters or the period (.).
Numeric values cannot exceed 8 digits in length.
A parameter data set is terminated at end-of-file.