How to read the CLIST statement syntax

Throughout this chapter, syntax is described using the structure defined below.

Read the syntax diagrams from left to right, from top to bottom, following the path of the line.

Double arrows indicate the beginning and ending of a statement.


>>-STATEMENT---------------------------------------------------><

If a statement syntax requires more than one line to be shown, single arrows indicate their continuation.


>>-STATEMENT--…………--…………--…………--…………---------------------------->

>--…………--…………--…………--…………--………---------------------------------><

Required items appear on the horizontal line (the main path).


>>-STATEMENT--required_item------------------------------------><

Optional items appear below the main path.


>>-STATEMENT--+---------------+--------------------------------><
              '-optional_item-'

If you can choose from two or more items, they are stacked vertically.

If you must choose one of the items, an item of the stack appears on the main path.


>>-STATEMENT--+-required_choice_1-+----------------------------><
              '-required_choice_2-'

If choosing one of the items is optional, the entire stack appears below the main path.


>>-STATEMENT--+-------------------+----------------------------><
              +-optional_choice_1-+   
              '-optional_choice_2-'

An arrow returning to the left above the main line indicates an item that can be repeated.


              .-----------------.   
              V                 |   
>>-STATEMENT----repeatable_item-+------------------------------><

A repeat arrow above a stack indicates that you can make more than one choice from the stacked items, or repeat a single choice.


              .-----------------------.   
              V                       |   
>>-STATEMENT----+-repeatable_item_1-+-+------------------------><
                '-repeatable_item_2-'

Default values appear above the main path. For example, if you choose neither choice_2 nor choice_3, choice_1 is assumed. (Defaults can be coded for clarity reasons.)


              .-choice_1-.   
>>-STATEMENT--+----------+-------------------------------------><
              +-choice_2-+   
              '-choice_3-'

If a syntax diagram becomes too large or too complex to be printed or shown, fragments of it are shown below the main diagram as details.


>>---STATEMENT----required_variable--+----------------------+--->
                                     '-'optional_parameter'-'   

>--| FRAGMENT |------------------------------------------------><

FRAGMENT

|--OPERAND--+--------------------+--+--------------------+------>
            +-optional_choice_1a-+  +-optional_choice_2a-+   
            '-optional_choice_1b-'  '-optional_choice_2b-'   

>--+--------------------+--+--------------------+---------------|
   +-optional_choice_3a-+  +-optional_choice_4a-+   
   '-optional_choice_3b-'  '-optional_choice_4b-'

The previous syntax diagram is equivalent to the following diagram:


>>---STATEMENT----required_variable--+----------------------+--->
                                     '-'optional_parameter'-'   

>--OPERAND--+--------------------+--+--------------------+------>
            +-optional_choice_1a-+  +-optional_choice_2a-+   
            '-optional_choice_1b-'  '-optional_choice_2b-'   

>--+--------------------+--+--------------------+--------------><
   +-optional_choice_3a-+  +-optional_choice_4a-+   
   '-optional_choice_3b-'  '-optional_choice_4b-'

In a CLIST statement, use uppercase letters, numbers, and the set of symbols listed below exactly as shown in the syntax.

apostrophe or single quote: '
asterisk: *
comma: ,
equal sign: =
parentheses: ( )
period: .
ampersand: &
percent: %
colon: :

Lowercase italic letters and symbols appearing in the syntax represent variable information for which you substitute specific information in the statement. For example, if name appears in the syntax, substitute a specific value (for example, ALPHA) for the variable when you enter the statement.

Hyphens join lowercase words and symbols to form a single variable. For example, if member-name appears in the syntax, substitute a specific value (for example, BETA) for the variable in the statement.

Alphanumeric characters: unless otherwise indicated, an alphanumeric character is one of the following:

Alphabetic:: A-Z
Numeric:: 0-9
Special:: $ # @.

CLIST statements may be prefixed with a label consisting of 1-31 alphanumeric characters, beginning with an alphabetic character. The label may appear on a separate line. A colon must immediately follow the label name. For example,

label: +

IF A= …