HLASM Language Reference

Values in Operands
Parentheses
In macro instruction operand values, there must be an equal number of left and
right parentheses. They must be paired, that is, each left parenthesis needs a
following right parenthesis at the same level of nesting. An unpaired (single) left or
right parenthesis can appear only in a quoted string.
Examples:
(PAIRED-PARENTHESES)
()
(A(B)C)D(E)
(IN'('STRING)
Spaces
One or more spaces outside a quoted string indicates the end of the operands of a
macro instruction. Thus spaces should only be used inside quoted strings.
Example:
'SPACES ALLOWED'
Commas
A comma outside a quoted string indicates the end of an operand value or sublist
entry. Commas that do not delimit values can appear inside quoted strings or
paired parentheses that do not enclose sublists.
Examples:
A,B,C,D
(1,2)3'5,6'
Equal Signs
An equal sign can appear in the value of a macro instruction operand or sublist
entry:
As the first character
Inside quoted strings
Between paired parentheses
In a keyword operand
In a positional operand, provided the parameter does not resemble a keyword
operand
Examples:
=H'21'
A'='B
C(A=B)
2X=B
KEY=A=B
The assembler issues a warning message for a positional operand containing an
equal sign, if the operand resembles a keyword operand. Thus, if we assume that
the following is the prototype of a macro definition:
MAC1
&F
the following macro instruction generates a warning message:
MAC1 K=L (K appears to be a valid keyword)
310 HLASM V1R5 Language Reference