Introduction MTB Statements File System Compiler Applications Reference Guide Index

Language Structure Data Division I/O Format Division Procedure Division Mnemonics

Statement Continuation

Sometimes, MTB source statements can exceed the length of a single editor line. In these cases, the statement may be continued on the following editor line by using an underline character (_) at the end of the first line.

The underline character signals the MTB compiler that the current statement is being continued on the following source line.

There is no limit to the number of lines that may be joined using the underline continuation character.

Note: The underline character can be used in all divisions of an MTB source program.

Note: Any characters following the underline character will be ignored by the MTB compiler. These superfluous characters are treated as remarks and not compiled into the object program.

Also see Underscore and ampersand.

Example: 

   DATA: FORMAT   PARTNUM$;DESC$;_
                  QTYHAND;QTYORD;_
                  QTYCOMM;_
                  AVAIL;LOCATION$;_
                  VENDOR$_
In this example, an I/O Format statement is continued to several source lines (and indented on the secondary lines for readability purposes only).

Language Structure