# Introduction to Using PxPlus

Punctuation/Syntax |

The following punctuation symbols have fixed meaning in a PxPlus application:

! | Exclamation | PxPlus accepts an exclamation mark as a substitute for the REM directive. Example: !this remark An exclamation mark as the leading character of a string also denotes one of Sage Software's embedded bitmaps; e.g. !STOP.
" | Quotes | Standard quotation marks enclose string literals. A leading quotation mark can also be used at the start of a statement as a substitute for the INVOKE directive. Example: "NOTEPAD is the same as INVOKE "NOTEPAD
$ | Dollar Sign | A dollar sign at the end of a variable name marks a string variable. Example: CUST$ Dollar signs can also enclose hexadecimal values. Example: $8A$
' | Apostrophe | Single quotation marks (apostrophes) enclose system parameters and mnemonics; e.g. 'TL' and 'CS'. The Apostrophe Operator is used to indicate a control object property.
; | Semi-colon | Directives and entry points are separated by semi-colons in program statements.
* | Asterisk | PxPlus includes a number of auxiliary applications. These utility names are preceded by an * (asterisk); e.g. *CMD, *UPB, and the *[ ] search utility described below. An asterisk may have specific meaning in the syntax of some directives or functions; e.g. as a wildcard character to denote a global occurrence.
% | Percent Sign | A percent sign before a variable name denotes a global variable or function. Example: %DEPT A percent sign following a variable name indicates that the variable is an integer. Example: DEPT% A variable name having both leading and trailing percent signs denotes a global variable for integer values. Example: %DEPT%
*[ ] | Asterisk + Square Brackets | The search utility (for searching programs) is invoked by enclosing a search string within square brackets preceded by an * (asterisk). Example: ->*[print] 0090 rem Printing 0100 print day 0120 print "Today's date is ",day 0610 if len(X$)>100 then print "TOO LONG"; goto 0210 ->*[26] 0110 setday "02/26/99" The search is not case sensitive. *[ ]=[ ] Global search and replace can be used to make changes in programs. See Search and Replace. Example: *[CST$]=[CUST$] changes all instances of CST$ to CUST$. If square brackets are part of the search string, use curly braces { } to enclose the search string. Example: {[26]}
-: -> -} | Prompts | When your PxPlus prompt is a dash with a colon, this indicates that your current program has not been saved. After you save your program, the prompt reverts to an arrow. Under WindX, the prompt is a dash and a right brace.
/ or \ | Slashes | PxPlus accepts either slash (forward or back) as a substitute for the LIST directive. Example: /30 is the same as LIST 30
xxxx: | String-Trailing Colon | Use a trailing colon to denote that your string is a line label (statement reference or entry point). Example: 0110 if UPDATE$="Y" gosub CUSTOMER ... 2000 CUSTOMER: 2010 input 'CS',@(5,5),"Enter customer number",CST 2020 ! Rest of routine ... 2200 return
? | Question Mark | PxPlus accepts a leading question mark as a substitute for the PRINT directive. Example: ?CUST$ is the same as PRINT CUST$ PxPlus also places a question mark between a line number and program statement to denote a syntax error.
` | Back Apostrophe | PxPlus accepts the back apostrophe as a substitute for the EDIT directive.