── TAB ─┬────────────────────────────────────────────────────┬─────────┤
├─ ? ────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌◄──────────────────────┐ │
└─ = ──<special character>─┴─/5\─┬─────┬─<integer>─┴─┘
└─ , ─┘Explanation
The TAB command allows the user to define a tab character and set tab columns. These tabs have no relation to the TAB functions on a device. The <special character> can be any special character except the question mark (?), the at sign (@), and the asterisk (*).
The <integer> values specify the columns in which the cursor is to be placed (that is, the same numbers as in the MARGIN command). The user can insert tab characters anywhere in the source line to advance to the next tab column. To advance to the first tab column, a single tab character is inserted in the text.
To advance to the second column, two tab characters are inserted unless a tab character had been inserted previously to advance to the first tab column. In the latter case, only one tab character is inserted. If the number of tab characters recognized indicates a backwards skip, a warning message is displayed and the tab is ignored. If CANDE is in sequence mode when a backwards skip takes place, sequence mode is terminated (as in a line overflow).
The TAB command clears the current tab settings. The TAB? form displays the current tab settings. If the character is not a graphic character, its name or HEX representation is displayed (for example, HT, VT, CB).
Tabs are cleared at each new log on or when the TAB command is entered by itself.
Examples
The number sign (#) indicates a blank character; input is to a work file.
COMMAND: TAB = ' 5,10,15 [TABS CHAR=', TABS AT COL 5,10,15]
1. INPUT: 'ABC
ACTION: ####ABC
2. INPUT: 'ABC'DEF
ACTION: ####ABC##DEF
3. INPUT: ABCD'EFG
ACTION: ABCDEFG
4. INPUT: ABCDE'FG
ACTION: ABCDEFG
WARNING: #TAB COL(5) < CURRENT COL(6) - IGNORED.
5. INPUT: ABCDE''FG
ACTION: ABCDE####FG
COMMAND: TAB?
RESPONSE: #TAB = ' 5,10,15
COMMAND: TAB
RESPONSE: #TABS CLEARED