February 2003
1-5
1000-A2-GH30-00
1. Introduction
Table 1–3. Syntactical Characters
Character
Description
;
A semicolon indicates the end of a message.
,
A comma separates parameters within a parameter
block.
:
A colon separates parameter blocks.
–
A dash is used to separate the first and second
modifier.
“ “
A pair of quotes is used to delimit an expression
that can be parsed.
[ ]
One or more parameters (including delimiters)
enclosed within brackets indicates the parameters
are optional. An optional parameter means that if a
user inputs an empty field for an optional
parameter, then a default value will be substituted
automatically in the transmitted input field.
< >
The brackets are used to enclose one or more
information items, e.g., <date>, <time>, etc. The
brackets are not transmitted.
*
A single asterisk or double asterisks are used to
specify multiple or a range of values.
&
A single ampersand is used to list several entities.
&&
Double ampersands are used to indicate a range of
entities.
