MPE/iX Commands Reference Manual (32650-90877)

22 Chapter2
Command Structure Defined
Native Mode Command Structure
Positional Parameters
The meaning of a positional parameter depends upon its position (location) in the
parameter list. In the syntax diagrams for each command in this chapter, positional
parameters are separated from each other by a comma (,). If you omit a positional
parameter from the list, you must provide the comma placeholder that would normally
precede that parameter. In the following example, the subparameters of theREC parameter
of the BUILD command can be treated as positional parameters:
BUILD filename ;REC=128,1,F,ASCII
If you choose to use the system-defined default value F, you need not specify it, but you
must hold the position with a comma:
BUILD filename ;REC=128,1,,ASCII
Keyword Parameters
A keyword parameter denotes the meaning or value of a given parameter. In the syntax
diagrams for each command in this chapter, keyword parameters appear in uppercase
(CAPITAL) letters (although you may enter them in either uppercase or lowercase) and are
preceded by a semicolon (;). In the following example, REC is a keyword parameter:
BUILD filename ;REC=128,1,F,ASCII
Refer to the section "Combining Positional/Keyword Parameters," below, for additional
information.
Native Mode Command Structure
Many commands in this chapter have the designation Native Mode at the end of their
definition. This means that the command is parsed by the Native Mode Command
Parser. If Native Mode is not specified, the command is parsed by the Compatibility
Mode Command Parser. (A command
parser separates command parameters.) There is
no relationship between the parser a command uses and the function(s) the command
performs. Also, just because a command is parsed by the Compatibility Mode parser
does not mean it functions in the same way it did in the Classic HP3000 environment.
All new commands for MPE/iX use the NM parser. Some commands used on MPE V/E
which have been changed for MPE/iX use the NM parser and some do not. MPE V/E
commands which have not been changed for MPE/iX generally use the CM parser.
The important thing to remember is that the Native Mode parser accepts several different
formats for commands that you enter at the colon prompt (:). You may enter these
NM-parsed commands in one of the following ways:
• By using the formal command specification shown in the syntax diagram for each
command in this chapter.
• By using positional parameter specifications to enter keyword parameter values.