FSPEC(5,F)                  AIX Technical Reference                  FSPEC(5,F)



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fspec



PURPOSE

Specifies formatting within text files.

DESCRIPTION

A text file format specification normally occurs in the first line of a text
file.  This format specifies how tabs expand in the remainder of the file.

A format specification consists of a sequence of parameters separated by blanks
and enclosed by the brackets <: and :>.  Each parameter consists of a
key-letter, possibly followed immediately by a value.  The following parameters
are recognized:

d          The d parameter takes no additional value.  It indicates that the
           line containing the format specification is to be deleted from the
           converted file.

e          The e parameter takes no additional value.  It indicates that the
           current format prevails until another format specification is
           encountered in the file.

mmargin    The m parameter specifies a number of spaces added to the beginning
           of each line.  The value of margin must be an integer.

ssize      The s parameter specifies a maximum line size.  The value of size
           must be an integer.  Size checking is performed after tabs are
           expanded, but before inserting the margin.

ttabs      The t parameter specifies the tab settings for the file.  The value
           of tabs must be one of the following:

             o A list of column numbers separated by commas, indicating tabs
               set at the specified columns.

             o A - (dash) followed immediately by an integer n, indicating tabs
               at intervals of n columns.

             o A - (dash) followed by the name of a supplied tab specification.

           Standard tabs are specified by t-8, or the equivalent t1, 9, 17, 25,
           and so on.  The tabs command defines the supplied tabs.

Default values assumed for parameters not supplied are t-8 and m0.  If the s
parameter is not specified, no size checking is performed.  If the first line
of a file contains no format specification, the previous defaults are assumed
for the entire file.



Processed November 7, 1990        FSPEC(5,F)                                  1

FSPEC(5,F)                  AIX Technical Reference                  FSPEC(5,F)




The format specification can be entered as a comment.  In that case it is not
necessary to code the d parameter.

EXAMPLE

The following is an example of a line containing a format specification:

  * <:t5,10,15 s72:> *

RELATED INFORMATION

The ed, newform, and tabs commands in AIX Operating System Commands Reference.










































Processed November 7, 1990        FSPEC(5,F)                                  2