Format Specification

The format specification specifies the format of the report requested by an English sentence. It has output modifiers that format the report and include headings, footings, page breaks, value breaks, and total lines.

A report is given a default heading unless this is suppressed by an appropriate modifier or option or when a heading is given explicitly.

The presence of a format specification does not override default output attributes in the dictionary.

Syntax

{COL-HDR-SUPP} {DBL-SPC} {DET-SUPP} {FOOTING "text"}
{GRAND-TOTAL "grand-total-text"}
{HEADING "text"} {HDR-SUPP} {ID-SUPP} {LPTR}{NMBR} {ID} {NI-SUPP} {ITEM ID}

Syntax elements

COL-HDR-SUPP Suppresses the column headings, the default heading line (page number, time, and date) at the beginning of the report, and the summary line (n ITEMS LISTED) at the end of the report.

You can use the C option instead of this modifier.

DBL-SPC Generates the report with double-spaced instead of single-spaced lines.

DET-SUPP Suppresses detail output when used with the BREAK-ON and TOTAL connectives.

You can use the D option can be used instead of this modifier.

FOOTING Specifies text to be output at the bottom of every page.

HEADING Specifies text to be output at the top of every page to replace default heading. Has the synonym HEADER.

text Comprises printable characters plus heading and footing options enclosed in single quotes.

The heading and footing options are B, C{centre-width}, D, F, I, L, N, P, PP and T.

GRAND-TOTAL Specifies text to replace the default asterisks in the cumulative total line at the report end.

Has the synonym CAPTION.

grand-total-text Comprises printable characters plus grand total options enclosed in single quotes.

The grand total options are L, P and U.

HDR-SUPP Suppresses the default heading line at the top of the report and the summary line at the bottom of the report.

Has the synonym SUPP.

The H option can also be used instead of this modifier.

ID-SUPP Suppresses the item-ids for the LIST and SORT processors.

The I option can be used instead of the ID-SUPP modifier.

NI-SUPP Removes the counter displayed at end of the report if used with J option.

Without the NI-SUPP or the J option, a counter is displayed at the end of the English listing.

NMBRProduces a line counter (first column) as part of the GLOBAL.MD item.

NAMEDisplays the name of the GUEST.

IDSuppresses the default item ID.

ITEMDisplays the GLOBAL.MD item.

LPTR Specifies that the report goes to the printer queue (spooler) instead of displaying at the terminal. The P option can be used instead of this modifier.

NOPAGE Suppresses automatic pagination. If NOPAGE is entered for display at the terminal, the report scrolls automatically. The N option can be used instead of this modifier.