The period is one of the smallest characters in Easytrieve source, yet it plays several distinct roles. It can end one statement and start another on the same line. It can introduce an inline comment. It can separate a procedure label from the PROC keyword. It can even appear inside numeric literals as a decimal point. Beginners who treat every period the same way create compile errors when a decimal in a literal is mistaken for a terminator, or when two assignments on one line lack the required space after the period. This page separates those roles so you know which period rule applies in each context.
When you code more than one statement on a single 80-character record, the first statement must end with a period followed by at least one space. The compiler then begins parsing the next statement at the next non-blank position in the statement area. Without period-space, tokens from two statements merge into one invalid unit and the listing shows errors on the wrong keyword.
12RATE = BASE + ADJUST. TOTAL = RATE * HOURS DISCOUNT = 0.05. NET = GROSS - (GROSS * DISCOUNT)
First line: RATE assignment completes at ADJUST, period-space, then TOTAL assignment starts. Second line: DISCOUNT uses 0.05 where the period is inside the numeric literal, not a statement terminator—the literal ends at 05 and the statement continues to the comma-free assignment ending before period-space before NET. Reading left to right and distinguishing literal decimals from terminators is a core skill.
| Role | Pattern | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Statement terminator | statement. next-statement | Ends first statement; starts second on same line |
| Label delimiter | LABEL. KEYWORD | Links label to PROC or other keyword |
| Decimal in literal | 123.45 or 0.05 | Part of numeric literal value |
| Inline comment intro | statement. * comment | Ends statement; begins comment text |
Inline comments require a completed statement first. After the statement ends—either at line end or at period-space—you code one or more spaces, an asterisk, and comment text. The asterisk after period-space is not a full-line comment; it is tied to the statement on that line. Reviewers use inline comments for brief clarifications; use full-line asterisk comments for longer notes.
123IF DEPT EQ 'ACC'. * accounting department only ADD GROSS TO WS-TOTAL END-IF
Procedure labels commonly use the form proc-name. PROC where the period is required delimiter between the label and the keyword PROC. Similar label patterns appear for report PROC hooks such as BEFORE-LINE. PROC. The period here does not mean end of statement in the multi-statement sense—it is part of the label statement grammar documented in the PROC statement reference. Do not insert extra spaces that break the label-keyword relationship unless syntax allows the split across lines.
1234567CALC-TAX. PROC TAX = GROSS * TAX-RATE END-PROC BEFORE-LINE. PROC MASK GROSS AS '$$$,$$9.99' END-PROC
Broadcom groups period with comma, colon, quotes, and parentheses as delimiters that terminate or separate words. Period uniquely ends statements for multi-statement lines. Comma improves readability in parameter lists but does not replace period-space between statements. Colon qualifies fields. Parentheses group parameters. Confusing comma with period terminator produces statements that run together.
When only one statement occupies a line, the last non-blank character usually ends the statement without an explicit trailing period. Adding an optional period before line end is uncommon in modern style unless your shop standard requires it. Continuation lines ending in minus or plus are not terminated by the last character on that line—the continuation character overrides normal termination until the continued statement completes on a later record.
Numeric literals may include one decimal point for fractional values, with optional sign prefix. Examples include 123, +123, and -123.4321 per Broadcom syntax rules. The compiler parses the literal as a single token; the internal period does not split the statement. Problems arise when spaces break a numeric literal incorrectly or when two literals sit on one line without period-space between complete statements.
A period in Easytrieve is like a stop sign with different meanings on different streets. On a long line with two instructions, it means stop the first instruction, then start the next. Next to a recipe card name before the word PROC, it means this name belongs to this recipe. Inside a number like 3.14, it is part of the number itself, not a stop sign. You look at what surrounds the dot to know which job it is doing.
1. Period followed by space on a line typically:
2. In proc-name. PROC the period after the label:
3. Inline comments use period then:
4. A decimal point inside a numeric literal:
5. Broadcom lists period as: