Section 4. Notational Conventions
The notation to define the command syntax for VM/370 is: • Truncations and of Commands and Operands Where of a command name is permitted, the shortest version of the command is represented by uppercase letters. (Remember, however, that VM/370 commands can be entered with any combination of uppercase and lowercase letters.t
The followinq examples show the format specifications as used:
Disolav DISConn The for Display means that D, DI, DIS, DISP, DISPL, DISPLA, and DISPLAY can be used. The format for INDicate means that IND, II"DI, INDIC, INDICA, INDICAT, and INDICATE can be typed. The format
for DrSConn means that DISC, DISCO, DISCON, and DISCONN can be used.
Each of the examples given are shown with the valid specifications for the command name. Operanjs are specified in the same manner. Where truncation is
oermitted, the shortest acceptable version of the operand is representej by uppercase letters in the command format box. If no truncation is noted, the entire word (represented by all
capital letters) must be entered.
Abbreviations are shorter forms of command names and operands.
Abbreviations for command names are shown below the full name in the
format box. Abbreviations for operands are shown in the description
of the individual operands that follows the format box. For example,
the operand READER has both a minimum truncation and an abbreviation.
In the format box, it is shown as: Feader indicatinq that the minimum truncation is R. In the discussion of
the operand that follows the format block, it is shown as:
READER
RDR
indicatinq that the
specifications for the
READER, and RDP.
abbreviation is RDR. Thus, the acceptable
READER operand are: R, RE, REA, READ, READE, • The fJllowinq symbols are used to define the command format and never be typed when the actual command is entered.
underscore
-
braces { 1 b!:'ackets [1
ellipsis Section 4. Notational Conventions 37

• letters and words, and the following symbols, should be enterel as soecified in the format box.
asterisk *
comma
hyphen equal siqn
par en theses () perioJ. colon • Lowercase letters, words, and symbols that appear in the command
format bOK represent variables for which specific information should
be stlbstituted. For example, "hexloc" indicates that a hexadecimal
storaqe location address is to be entered. • The abbreviations fn and ft are used to refer to filename and
filetype resnectively. The combination of fn ft are sometimes
collectively referred to as file identification or fileid. • Choices are represented in the command format boxes by stacking.
A
B
C • An 11nderscore indicates an assumed default. If an underscored choice
is selecteJ., it need not be specified when the command is entered. The representation A J2 c
indicates that either A,
selected, it neec not be assllmeJ.. B, or C may be selected. However, if B is
speci fied. Or, if n one is entered I B is • The use of braces denotes choices, one of which be selected. The representation
indicates that you specify either A, or B, or C.
choices is enclosed by neither brackets or braces, treate3 3S if enclosed by braces. 33 IBM CP Command Reference for General Users If a list of
it is to be