Metasyntax for commands and macros

Representation	Meaning	Examples
UPPERCASE LETTERS	Uppercase letters denote keywords (command, statement or operand names, keyword values) and constant operand values. Keyword values begin with *.	HELP-SDF SCREEN-STEPS = *NO
UPPERCASE LETTERS in boldface	Uppercase letters printed in boldface denote guaranteed or suggested abbreviations of keywords.	GUIDANCE-MODE = *YES
=	The equals sign connects an operand name with the associated operand values.	GUIDANCE-MODE = *NO
< >	Angle brackets denote variables whose range of values is described by data types and suffixes (see tables 2 and 3).	SYNTAX-FILE = <filename 1..54>
Underscoring	Underscoring denotes the default value of an operand.	GUIDANCE-MODE = *NO
/	A slash serves to separate alternative operand values.	NEXT-FIELD = *NO / *YES
(...)	Parentheses denote operand values that initiate a structure.	,UNGUIDED-DIALOG = *YES (...) / *NO
[ ]	Square brackets denote operand values which introduce a structure and are optional. The subsequent structure can be specified without the initiating operand value.	SELECT = [*BY-ATTRIBUTES](...)
Indentation	Indentation indicates that the operand is dependent on a higherranking operand.	,GUIDED-DIALOG = *YES (...) *YES(...)    SCREEN-STEPS = *NO /                                        *YES
text text	An indent identifies related operands within a structure. Its length marks the beginning and end of a structure. A structure may contain further structures. The number of intents preceding an operand corresponds to the depth of the structure. A comma precedes further operands at the same structure level.	SUPPORT = *TAPE(...) *TAPE(...) VOLUME = *ANY(...) ANY(...) ... GUIDANCE-MODE = *NO / *YES ,SDF-COMMANDS = *NO / *YES
list-poss(n):	The entry “list-poss” signifies that a list of operand values can be given at this point. If (n) is present, it means that the list must not have more than n elements. A list of more than one element must be enclosed in parentheses.	list-poss: *SAM / *ISAM list-poss(40): <structured-name 1..30> list-poss(256): *OMF / *SYSLST(...) / <filename 1..54>
Alias:	The name that follows represents a guaranteed alias (abbreviation) for the command or statement name.	HELP-SDF Alias: HPSDF