Data Definition Language (DDL) Reference Manual

DDL Language Elements
Data Definition Language (DDL) Reference Manual—529431-004
2-12
Special Characters
Special Characters
Comments
The DDL compiler supports two types of comments:
The comment in Example 2-3 on page 2-12 begins with the asterisk (*) and ends when
the line ends; that is, the entire line is a comment.
Table 2-2. DDL Special Characters
Name Character Function
Blank Separates keywords, data names, and other language
elements.
Percent Sign % Denotes an octal number.
Quote “ Used as a delimiter for various language elements.
Apostrophe ‘ Can be used in place of a quotation mark.
Exclamation
Point
! The DDL interactive prompt; separates listing comments from
statements and commands; after a file name in a DDL
command, ! clears the file.
Asterisk * Denotes dictionary comment when * is the first character of a
line; can be used as a wild-card character for dictionary
references.
Question
Mark
? Denotes a command when ? is the first character of a line.
Comma , Separates multiple commands on the same line; separates
multiple sections in a SOURCE command.
Period . Ends statements and parts of compound statements; used in
qualification of field names.
Semicolon ; Needed in previous DDL versions, but now interpreted as
blank.
Begins with: Ends with: Appears in:
Dictionary
Comments
Asterisk (*) in first
column of source line
End of source line Dictionary and all
open language
source code files
Compiler Listing
Comments
Exclamation point (!) Another exclamation
point or end of source
line
Compiler listing only
Example 2-3. dictionary Comment
* CUSTNUM is the primary key