# Syntax

Contents of this section

Description

Clear Screen Example

Variables

Literal Values

Use of [ ]

Description:

Syntax is the set of rules by which a program is made to operate properly. Any function, command or feature can be considered a "program" that needs to be operated correctly by its rules.

Clear Screen Example

For example, the syntax for the "CLEAR SCREEN" function used on filePro processing tables is:

cls | Clear the entire screen.
cls(s) | Clear the screen starting from line # "s" to the bottom of the screen.
cls(s,n) | Clear the screen from line # "s" for "n" lines.

In other words, cls("10","5") would clear the screen starting at line # "10" through line # "14".

Variables

Generally, variables are used to indicate places where you will substitute your values. For instance, the "s" represents your "starting line" and the "n" represents your "number of lines to clear". You can usually determine what syntax instructions mean using your common sense and intuition. They are not meant to be obscure, their purpose is to be very clear.

Literal Values

In general, within filePro processing tables, literal values are placed inside quotes. If you mean to use the number "10" as in the above example, it must be in quotes. If you mean to use the contents of field 10, you would just use 10. All filePro syntax is written with this as a basic assumption.

Use of [ ]

Items within [ ]s are optional, i.e., the function will work with or without your substituting values for these items.

Example:

mdy[y][/] shows that "mdy", "mdyy", "mdy/", or "mdyy/" are valid constructions.