Real-time syntax checking

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Real-time syntax checking automatically validates the syntax of HLASM code and displays error information in the editor margin.

The editor performs real-time syntax checking and provides annotations that describe the errors. If an error is found, a warning icon (Exclamation mark in yellow triangle) is displayed. To see the annotation that describes the error, hover your mouse over the icon.

To disable real-time syntax checking, open the HLASM editor preferences page and select Disable Problems

The editor checks for the following error types in HLASM source files:
  • Failed to fetch COPY for copy statements in which the copy file cannot be located.
  • Continuation line started before column 16. Columns to the left of the continue column must be a space. This error is flagged when text extends to the left of the Display Continue Area Margin preference.
  • Incorrect number of operands. This error is flagged when the incorrect number of operands for an instruction is given. Because HLASM treats the first word after an operation as an operand regardless of how many spaces exist, when the original operand is removed, the first word in the comment becomes the operand. Only Machine Instructions are identified by this error. Real-time syntax errors for Assembler instructions are not supported.
Limitations:
  • Reporting of syntax errors is limited. Undeclared variables, for example, do not generate errors.
  • For files that are opened from the Git Repositories view, but not contained in an Eclipse project, the HLASM Editor has these limitations:
    • Syntax errors show in the editor, but the Problems view is not populated.
    • The Outline view is not populated.
  • The syntax error messages are in English, and are not translatable.
  • Although the toolbar includes a Real Time Syntax Checking Real Time Syntax Checking button, it has no function. Use the Disable problems check box on the HLASM Editor preferences page to enable and disable real-time syntax checking.