Parameter values

A parameter value is user-supplied information used during the running of a command.

An individual value can be specified in a constant value, a variable name, an expression, or a list of values. A parameter can specify one or a group of such values, depending on the parameter's definition in a command. If a group of values is specified, the parameter is called a list parameter because it can contain a list of values.

On commands with key and positional parameters, values can be specified in keyword form, positional form, or a combination of both forms. Parameter values must be enclosed in parentheses if any of the following conditions are true:

A keyword precedes the value.
The value is an expression.
A list of values is specified.
Note: If only one value is specified for a list, no parentheses are required.

Constant value
A constant value is the actual value. The types of constants are character string (includes names, date and hexadecimal values), decimal, and logical.
Variable name
A variable contains a data value that can be changed when a program is run. A variable name is the name of the variable containing the value.
Expressions
An expression is the value used as the result of evaluating an expression.
List of values
A list of values is one or more values that can be specified for a parameter.

Parent topic: Parameters

Related concepts

Command coding rules

Related reference

Command parameters