The PRODAMP syntax is very similar to that of standard block-oriented languages such as Pascal, Modula-2 or Ada, but has the advantage of being simpler. There is, for example, no declaration division for types, variables and constants; this makes it possible to create ad hoc algorithms for solving special problems without having to formulate them as precisely as is necessary for normal programs.
The syntax reflects the fact that, in addition to the familiar language elements found in the above-mentioned programming languages, PRODAMP contains language elements which are tailor-made for special diagnostic requirements. PRODAMP can, for example, address the diagnostic data symbolically, using field names taken from the associated symbol file. You can also modify the meta-characteristics of such symbols or define the formats of the output windows.
A complete definition of the can be found in section “Syntax diagrams”.