COMMENT Command

Displays a message to the user.

Syntax

COMMENT (msgElement){(msgElement){...}}{+} {(VmvMode}

Syntax Elements

msgElement A message element. One of the following:

column,row Positions cursor at the specified screen coordinates. Both parameters must be integers greater than or equal to 0; if greater than the current maximum (set by the most recent execution of the TERM command), the cursor is placed in the right-most column or bottom row as appropriate. If row is omitted, the cursor remains on the current line.

code Generates an extended cursor addressing or video effects code. The effects of these codes depends on the MultiValue video mode, selected with the V option (default, Reality). All extended cursor addressing and video effects codes are negative integers.

Refer to the DataBasic @ function for details of the codes available in Reality mode. The @ compatibility option lists codes for other modes.

x{.}code Generates the character with the specified ASCII code. If code is preceded by a dot (.), it is interpreted as hexadecimal; otherwise it is interpreted as decimal. Valid values are from 0 to 254 decimal (x'00' to x'FE' hex).

text Prints the specified text.

Note that each message element must be enclosed in parentheses.

+ Suppresses the trailing carriage return.

Options

VmvMode Specifies which set of video codes to use (to simplify MultiValue migration); refer to the DISPLAY command for the modes available.

Restrictions

Intended for use in TCL Macros only.

Using COMMENT after a select deletes the active list.

Examples

The command

COMMENT (-1)(x7)(Logged on at: )+

displays

The above clears the screen, sounds the bell and then displays:

Logged on at: