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 set 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 using specifiers 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 specifier 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.