pTAL Reference Manual (H06.08+)

Language Elements
HP pTAL Reference Manual—523746-006
2-4
Delimiters
Delimiters
Delimiters are symbols that begin, end, or separate fields of information. Delimiters tell
the compiler how to handle the fields of information.
SHARED8 None
UNSPECIFIED None
WORDS Not to be used as an identifier of a LITERAL or DEFINE
Table 2-4. Delimiters (page1of2)
Symbol
Character
Representation Uses
! Exclamation mark Begins and optionally ends a comment
-- Two consecutive
hyphens
Begins a comment
, Comma Separates fields of information, such as in declarations,
statements, directives, and constant lists
; Semicolon
•
Terminates data declarations
•
Separates statements
•
Separates declaration options
. Period Separates identifier levels in a qualified structure item
identifier
<n :n > Angle brackets Delimits a bit field in a bit operation
:Colon
•
Denotes a statement label
•
Denotes a procedure entry point
•
Denotes an ASSERT statement assert level
•
Denotes a parameter pair
( ) Parentheses
•
Delimit subexpressions within an expression
•
Delimit the parameter list of a DEFINE, procedure,
subprocedure, or CALL statement
•
Delimit the referral in a structure pointer
declaration
•
Delimit the implied decimal point position in a
FIXED variable
[n :n ] Square brackets Delimit the bounds specification in the declaration of an
array, structure, or substructure
Table 2-3. Nonreserved Keywords (page 2 of 2)
Keyword Restrictions