Syntax: Comments and Whitespace

Status: Reviewed (2026-03-10 review pass)

Requirements:

• ; ...
• (* ... *)
• optional // ... mode gate
• whitespace and tabs should not change semantics beyond token separation
• ( ... ) is reserved for expressions and grouping, not for comments

Reviewed decisions:

• nested comments are rejected for now
• text after ; is comment text to end of line
• parenthesized text inside ; ... is just literal comment content
• standalone ( ... ) comment syntax is not part of the target requirement set
• in expressions and conditions, ( ... ) is reserved for grouping semantics, not comments

Examples:

• valid line comment:
  • N0010 ;(CreateDate:Thu Aug 26 08:52:37 2021 by ZK)
• valid grouping intent:
  • IF (R1 == 1) AND (R2 > 10)
• rejected as comment syntax target:
  • (standalone comment)

Open follow-up questions:

• whether (* ... *) remains wanted as a Siemens-style block-comment form
• whether // ... should remain optional or become required in some mode