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 parame-
     ters separated by blanks and  enclosed by the brackets <:
     and :>.   Each parameter  consists of a  key-letter, pos-
     sibly  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 con-
                verted file.

     e          The e parameter takes no additional value.  It
                indicates  that  the current  format  prevails
                until another format specification is encount-
                ered 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 speci-
                    fied 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 sup-
                    plied 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 con-
     tains no format specification,  the previous defaults are
     assumed for the entire file.

     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.