# Syntax and Rules

This section is mainly about the rules that are applied to the Substation ES System Startup Parameters (SSP) and System Initialization Parameters (SIP).

Each parameter consists of a keyword that specifies how a particular function is to be implemented and its associated value. Keywords, which are alphanumeric, contain no spaces or blanks (low-values) and must start in column 1 of the input record. For PDS member input parameters, keyword values must be separated by an equal sign (=).

## Keyword Values

You must specify keyword values in the valid format. Keywords can be uppercase, lowercase, or mixed case and are usually in one of the following formats:

- A value, which can have a predefined range if the requirement is numeric.
- A Yes or No indicator (Y or N).
- A constant value, for example, a program or interface name.
- A string or sentence with embedded spaces.

  Enclose the entire string or sentence within double quotation marks, for example, “TIBCO Software Inc. Substation ES”. The string is truncated if it exceeds the maximum length.

## Comments

You can insert comments or comment lines between parameters or after keyword values. An asterisk (*) or forward slash (/) denotes that comments follow from that point on until the end of the line or input card. The special characters including an equal sign (=), the forward slash, and the asterisk are reserved and are valid only in comments.

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