Superscript Meanings
Extension |
Type of Keyword / Category |
Example |
|---|---|---|
xs |
Xcall subroutine (internal)* |
COMMONxs |
gd |
GDI print directive |
PAPERSIZEgd |
sp |
System parameter in miame.ini |
ERSATZsp |
pq |
Printer init file command in xxx.pqi |
LMARGINpq |
As you know, A-Shell contains many "keywords" or "reserved words" that have particular meanings: ASB terms, system parameters, subroutine names, etc.
There are several major categories of keyword, and many keywords in each category. It therefore can become difficult for (a) the reader/programmer to remember the category to which every keyword belongs, and (b) the documenter who is trying to make sure the reader/programmer knows what type of keyword is being used. The problems are further complicated the fact that some keywords occur in more than one category.
In an April 2024 effort to clarify the category to which each keyboard belongs, the documentation now indicates the keyword category by supercript code immediately following the keyword. The code is small and hard to see but is hopefully better than nothing.
Note that the following categories of keyword are "self identifying," as their name includes their category identifier.
Identifier |
Type of Keyword / Category |
Example |
|---|---|---|
.LIT extension |
System command |
ABOUT.LIT |
AG_ prefix |
ATE tab function |
AG_GETENV |
.SBX extension |
Xcall subroutine (external)* |
EMAILX.SBX |
* The xs designation is used only for A-Shell's internal subroutines—i.e., those that are written in C and are part of the main A-Shell program. External subroutines, which are written in ASB and exist as stand-alone files with the extension .SBX, are always referred to with the .SBX extension and are therefore self-identifying.
