Follow these rules when specifying entries in the symbol table:
- The names of the symbols must:
- Begin with an ampersand (&)
- End with a period (.)
- Contain 1-253 additional characters (in
other words, you cannot create the symbol "&.").
Note: It is important that all symbols end with a
period. If a symbol does not end with a period, syntax errors could
result.
- Specify the names of system symbols only if you want to override
the installation-defined substitution texts for those system symbols.
Ask the operator to enter a DISPLAY SYMBOLS command to display the
system symbols and associated substitution texts that are currently
in effect.
- Do not begin the names of user symbols with the characters &SYS.
The &SYS prefix is reserved for system symbols; use the &SYS
prefix only when overriding substitution texts for system symbols.
- The length of the substitution text cannot exceed the length of
the symbol name plus the ampersand (&).
This
restriction prevents the flow of characters beyond established limits
for text entry. For example, assume that the limit for text entry
is column 71. If a line that contains a four-character symbol extends
to column 70, a substitution text of greater than six characters would
force the text beyond column 71.