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1.23 Syntax

Options and any accompanying parameters are separated by spaces whereas lists and coordinates are separated by commas. Ranges are separated by colons and enclosed in brackets [], text and file names are enclosed in quotes, and a few miscellaneous things are enclosed in parentheses.

Commas are used to separate coordinates on the `set` commands arrow, `key`, and `label`; the list of variables being fitted (the list after the `via` keyword on the fit command); lists of discrete contours or the loop parameters which specify them on the cntrparam command; the arguments of the `set` commands dgrid3d, dummy, isosamples, offsets, origin, samples, size, `time`, and view; lists of tics or the loop parameters which specify them; the offsets for titles and axis labels; parametric functions to be used to calculate the x, y, and z coordinates on the `plot`, replot and `splot` commands; and the complete sets of keywords specifying individual plots (data sets or functions) on the `plot`, replot and `splot` commands.

Parentheses are used to delimit sets of explicit tics (as opposed to loop parameters) and to indicate computations in the using filter of the fit, `plot`, replot and `splot` commands.

(Parentheses and commas are also used as usual in function notation.)

Square brackets are used to delimit ranges given in `set`, `plot` or `splot` commands.

Colons are used to separate extrema in `range` specifications (whether they are given on `set`, `plot` or `splot` commands) and to separate entries in the using filter of the `plot`, replot, `splot` and fit commands.

Semicolons are used to separate commands given on a single command line.

Curly braces are used in the syntax for enhanced text mode and to delimit blocks in if/then/else statements. They are also used to denote complex numbers: {3,2} = 3 + 2i.

The EEPIC, Imagen, Uniplex, LaTeX, and TPIC drivers allow a newline to be specified by \\ in a single-quoted string or \\\\ in a double-quoted string.