Command continuation

Commands can be entered in free format. This means that a command does not have to begin in a specific location on a coding sheet or on the display. A command can be contained entirely in one record, or it can be continued on several lines or in several records.

Whether continued or not, the total command length cannot exceed 32,702 characters. Either of two special characters, the plus sign (+) or the minus sign (-), is entered as the last non-blank character on the line to indicate that a command is continued. Blanks immediately preceding a + or - sign are always included; blanks immediately following a + or - in the same record are ignored. Blanks in the next record that precede the first non-blank character in the record are ignored when + is specified but are included when - is specified.

The + is generally useful between parameters or values. At least one blank must precede the sign when it is used between separate parameters or values. The difference between the plus and minus sign usage is particularly important when continuation occurs inside a quoted character string.

The example that follows shows the difference.

CRTLIB LIB(XYZ) TEXT('This is CONT+
   INUED')
 
CRTLIB LIB(XYZ) TEXT('This is CONT-
   INUED')
 
For + : CRTLIB LIB(XYZ) TEXT('This is CONTINUED')
 
For - : CRTLIB LIB(XYZ) TEXT('This is CONT   INUED')

Note:

The minus sign causes the leading blanks on the next line to be entered.
Use continuation characters + and - in CL programs only. An error occurs if + or - is used on a command entry display.
The characters + and - are used for multiple-command examples, but not for single-command examples.