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The Leading Comma

From the command line, the leading comma causes the program to jump the first symbol in the window. If the first symbol is a complete symbol, i.e., SPH3, the program skips it and enters the symbol in the following field. If the first symbol is a macro, the program jumps the symbols that satisfy the macro and enters the symbol in the next field.

Using the leading comma in the window format causes the program to skip a line (or column) before entering the symbol. For example, if you are working from the command line and you enter

,SPH3

The program skips the first cell containing an instrument symbol and replaces the content of the second field with the March contract for the S&P 500.

This is precisely what happens when you are entering symbols into the quote window format. Basically, the leading comma enables you to leave more space between symbols.

On the surface, using the comma delimiter seems simple. However, when you use the comma delimiter with macros, it can start to seem as though the program is invoking powers from the cosmos. You can keep everything straight if you remember the basics about the comma delimiter:

1. The leading comma skips a field, or a group of fields that satisfy a macro, when you use it from the command line, and it skips a field when you use it from in an entry box.

2. The trailing comma places a symbol and clears the rest of the window when you use it from the command line, and it places a symbol and skips a line when you use it in an entry box.

The following sections explain several uses for the comma delimiter.

images/aspen00090000.gif Using the Comma (,) Delimiter to Delete All Symbols

images/aspen00090000.gif Using the Comma (,) Delimiter to View One Symbol

images/aspen00090000.gif Using the Comma (,) Delimiter to View Several Symbols

images/aspen00090000.gif Using the Comma (,) Delimiter to View All Active Contracts on a Future

images/aspen00090000.gif Using the Comma (,) Delimiter to View All Active Contracts on Several Futures