HP 3000 Manuals

MPE V to MPE XL: Getting Started

Lesson 8:  MPE XL Syntax 

In MPE XL, you can enter commands in your accustomed manner.
Long-standing rules for syntax still apply.

If you use complex command syntax in MPE V/E, you will welcome the
optional, more flexible manner in which you can enter parameters in MPE
XL commands.  Parameters for MPE XL commands are not limited to keywords
or positional parameters.


NOTE  If you are not familiar with MPE V/E syntax rules, you may wish to
      skip this lesson.


Keyword Parameters 

Commands--old as well as new--can be entered in MPE XL by using only
keyword specifications.  This syntax is the same that you were accustomed
to in MPE V/E.

Example: 

FILE LPRINT;DEV=LP;ENV=ENVFILE.PUB

The syntax definition of new commands in MPE XL, however, makes the
;KEYWORD= specifications optional.

Example: 

                 PRINT [ [FILE=] filename ]
                       [ [;OUT=] outfile ]
                       [ [;START=] m ]
                       [ [;END=] n ]
                       [;[PAGE=] p ]
                       [; {UNN} ]
                            {NUM}

Using only keyword specifications:

PRINT FILE=MYFILE;OUT=*PRINTER;START=5

Using the optional positional specifications:

PRINT MYFILE,*PRINTER,5

Positional Parameters 

If the keywords are omitted, the familiar rules regarding positional
parameters come into effect.  Namely, commas separate parameters and hold
the place of omitted parameters; sequence becomes important.

Example: 


Combining Keyword and Positional Parameters 

As always, you can combine keyword and positional parameters.  However,
once a keyword has been specified, you must continue using keywords in
the rest of the command line.

Example: 

Acceptable:  PRINT MYFILE;OUT=*PRINTER;END=10

Unacceptable:  PRINT MYFILE;OUT=*PRINTER,5,10


NOTE  The new syntactical rule applies to the commands that are new to
      the MPE XL system.  Most modified and unchanged commands are
      restricted to MPE V/E syntax rules.


Additional Information 

For more information about the syntax for new MPE XL commands, refer to
the MPE XL General User's Reference Manual (32650-90002).

Exercises 

For each command line listed below, indicate if it is executable in MPE
XL or not, based on what you know about the new syntax.  For each one
that is not executable in MPE XL, explain why.

HINT: COPY, PRINT, LINK, INPUT, and LISTREDO are new commands.  HELLO and
RUN are modified commands.

11.  COPY FROM=FRED;TO=WILMA;NO

12.  PRINT FILE=MYFILE,*PRINTER,5,8

13.  LINK FILE1;TO=NEWFILE,RLFILE2;SHOW

14.  INPUT MYNAME;WAIT=30;PROMPT=**

15.  HELLO BARNEY.RUBBLE,,;TIME=60

16.  LISTREDO OUT=*lp,-7,-3;UNN

17.  COPY FROM=FRED,WILMA

18.  RUN MYPROG,,,;DEBUG

19.  PRINT BEATLES,*LP;START=4;END=20

MPE/iX 5.0 Documentation