Control statement syntax

Follow these coding conventions when you write control statements in the PROCCTL data set:

  • A control statement can be coded onto one or more control statement records. Statement names (those are, PROC, DATABASE, OPTION, REPORT, and END), keywords, and keyword values must be coded within column 2 and column 72. A statement name must be the first entry in the control statement.
  • Keywords and their values follow the statement name separated by one or more blanks. A statement name and the first keyword must be written in the same control statement record. When more than one keyword is coded, they must be separated by commas. No blanks are allowed between the keywords and the commas, or between the keywords and their values.

    Keywords can be continued onto one or more following control statement records. The control statement starting with a statement name must be completed with a keyword with its value, including the comma that follows it. Then keywords can be continued onto another control statement records begin in any column from 2.

    Keywords are not positional parameters; they can be specified in any order of sequence.

    A null value is not allowed for any keyword value.

  • Comments can follow the last keyword value on each control statement record, separated by at least one blank.
  • A comment line must begin with an asterisk in column 1.

The following figure shows the control statement syntax.

Figure 1. Control statement syntax for PROCCTL
This figure depicts the syntax of control statements for the PROCCTL data set.
Note: On the control statement, use uppercase alphabetic characters, numeric characters, and the following special characters:
  • Asterisk (*)
  • Comma (,)
  • Equal sign (=)
  • Parentheses ( )