MPE commands can ha ve positional or k eyword parameter lists. The c haracteristics of a positional parameter list are:

Location of a parameter in the list is signi￿can t. Each parameter is separated b y a comma (,).

If a parameter is omitted from the list, a place-holding comma m ust replace it, unless the parameter is at the end of the list.

For example:

:COBOLII SOURCE,,LISTOUT

The characteristics of a k eyword parameter list are: Location of a parameter in the list is not signi￿can t. Each parameter is preceded b y a semicolon (;). It can have a positional subparameter list.For example,

:FILE OUTFILE;DEV=LP;CCTL

is the same as

:FILE OUTFILE;CCTL;DEV=LP

Continuing an MPE/iX Command to Another Line

The maximum number of characters in a command is 256. Y ou can continue a command on more than one line b y entering an ampersand ( &) as the last nonblank character on the line to be continued. Enter the ampersand immediately before or after a delimiter ( , ; . = / or blank).

For example:

:BUILD MYFILE;DEV=DISC & :REC=-80

On-line Help in Using an MPE/iX Command

MPE/iX provides an on-line help facilit y to aid you in using MPE/iX commands. Y ou can easily experimen t with it by typing HELP at the colon (:) prompt.

Correcting or Modifying an MPE/iX Command

MPE/iX provides a correction facilit y to correct the previous MPE/iX command or modify it to use again. The :REDO command allows you to modify the previously displa yed command without having to retype the entire command. It does not cancel an y action performed b y the previously displa yed command.

Referring to Several Files at Once

Several generic characters can be used like wildcards in specifying a ￿le set or v olume set. This is especially useful in listing operations, to a void entering exact names when y ou are performing the operation on man y ￿les with similar names. Generic c haracters allow y ou to process an entire set of ￿les in one MPE/iX command, b y specifying a string or c haracter that

1-18 OVERVIEW