Library /sys$common/syshlp/basichelp.hlb Conventions, Mnemonics  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

  The following mnemonics are used in HELP text:

  Mnemonic      Definition

    array       An array; the syntax  formats  indicate  whether  you  can
                specify bounds and dimensions or just dimensions

    chnl        An I/O channel associated with a file

    com         Specific to a COMMON

    cond        Conditional; used with the expression mnemonic to indicate
                that an expression can be either logical or relational

    const       A constant value

    data-type   A data type keyword; type HELP DATA_TYPES for  information
                on BASIC data types

    def         Specific to a DEF

    dev-id      An identification number for a particular graphics device;
                always preceded by a number sign (#)

    dev-type    The GKS number associated  with  the  particular  type  of
                hardware device

    exp         An expression

    file-name   A file name

    file-spec   A file specification

    func        Specific to a FUNCTION subprogram

    int         An integer value

    item        Allowable BASIC objects, such as  variables,  data  types,
                and  parameters;  allowable objects are defined in formats
                as they occur

    label       An alphanumeric statement label

    lex         Lexical; used  to  indicate  a  component  of  a  compiler
                directive

    line-num    A program line number

    lit         A literal value, in quotation marks

    log         Logical; used with the expression mnemonic to  indicate  a
                logical expression

    map         Specific to a MAP

    matrix      A two-dimensional array

    name        Indicates the declaration of a name or the name of a BASIC
                structure, such as a SUB subprogram

    num         A numeric value

    pic-name    The name of a PICTURE subprogram

    real        A floating-point value

    rel         Relational; used with the expression mnemonic to  indicate
                a relational expression

    sub         Specific to a SUB subprogram

    subs        Subscripted; used with the variable mnemonic  to  indicate
                an  array  element; the element's position in the array is
                specified  by  subscripts  enclosed  in  parentheses   and
                separated by commas

    str         A character string

    target      The target point of a branch statement; indicates that the
                target  point  can  be  either  a program line number or a
                statement label

    tran-term   A reserved keyword used for a transformation function

    unsubs      Unsubscripted; used with the variable mnemonic to indicate
                a simple variable, as opposed to an array element

    var         A variable

    x-array     An array of values for x-coordinates

    x-coord     A value for the x-coordinate of a point

    y-array     An array of values for y-coordinates

    y-coord     A value for the y-coordinate of a point

  Mnemonics are combined to form metalanguage  symbols  that  specify  the
  type of language element allowed in a format.  For example:

   o  Const-name     Is a constant name.
   o  Sub-name       Is the name of a SUB subprogram.
   o  Unsubs-var     Is an unsubscripted variable.
   o  Int-exp        Is an integer expression.
   o  Cond-exp       Is a conditional expression.
   o  Str-unsubs-var Is a string unsubscripted variable.