If the DBCS assembler option is specified, a graphic self-defining term can be specified. A graphic self-defining term consists of 1 or 2 double-byte characters delimited by SO and SI, enclosed in apostrophes and preceded by the letter G. Any valid double-byte characters can be used. Examples of graphic self-defining terms are:

G'<.A>'
G'<.A.B>'
G'<Da>'
G'<.A><.B>'

The SO and SI are not represented in the assembled value of the self-defining term, hence the assembled value is pure double-byte data. A redundant SI/SO pair can be present between two double-byte characters, as shown in the last of the above examples. However, if SO and SI are used without an intervening double-byte character, this error is issued:

ASMA148E Self-defining term lacks ending quote or has bad character