8.1 FORMAT Statement Syntax

The FORMAT statement takes the following form:

FORMAT (q1 f1s1 f2s2 . . . fnsn qn)

q_n

Is zero or more slash (/) record terminators.

f_n

Is a field descriptor, an edit descriptor, or a group of field and edit descriptors enclosed in parentheses.

s_n

Is a field separator (a comma or slash). A comma can be omitted in the following cases:

• Between a P edit descriptor and an immediately following F, E, D, or G edit descriptor.

• Before or after a slash (/) record terminator.

• Before or after a colon (:) edit descriptor.

The entire list of field descriptors, edit descriptors, and field separators (including parentheses) is called the format specification.

For More information:

• On field descriptors, see Sections 8.1.1 and 8.3.

• On edit descriptors, see Sections 8.1.2 and 8.4.