Runoff processorControl functions

Control functions

Runoff features special control functions for uppercase and lowercase control, underlining, boldface printing, tabbing, and special character override.

  • @ function
    The @ function boldfaces the following character. The character to be boldfaced must immediately follow the @ symbol. If the @ symbol is followed by a space, the @ character itself is printed.
  • @^ function
    The @^ function enables boldface mode. Runoff remains in boldface mode until a @\ is encountered. The number of times the boldface letters are printed may be set by using the number option of the Runoff command.
  • @\ function
    The @\ function turns off boldface mode.
  • & function
    The & function underlines the following character. The character to be underlined must immediately follow the & character. If the & character is followed by a space, the & character itself is printed.
  • &^ function
    The &^ function puts Runoff in underline mode until an &\ is encountered.
  • &\ function
    The &\ function turns off the underline mode.
  • ^ function
    The ^ function prints the following character in uppercase. The character to be printed in uppercase must immediately follow the ^ character. If the ^ character is followed by a space, the ^ character itself is printed.
  • ^^ function
    The ^^ function activates the uppercase mode and causes the text to switch to uppercase in the same way that the .upper case command causes the switch, except that ^^ may be imbedded in a line. Turning off this function requires the .end case command.
  • \ function
    The \ function prints the following character in lowercase. The character to be printed in lowercase must immediately follow the \ character. If the \ character is followed by a space, the character itself is printed.
  • \\ function
    The \\ function turns off uppercase mode and causes the text to switch to lowercase in the same way that the .lower case command causes the switch, except that \\ may be imbedded in a line. Turning off this function requires the .end case command.
  • _ function
    The _ function treats the following character as a text character, rather than as a control character.
  • < function
    The < function causes the following word to begin at the next defined tab stop. The tab stop positions are defined using the .set tabs command. Tab characters are only in effect in the nofill mode.
  • > function
    The > function causes the following word to end at the next defined tab stop. The tab stop positions are defined using the .set tabs command. Tab characters are only in effect in the nofill mode.
  • .* function
    The .* function treats the entire line following the command as a remark. Any text following the command is not output by Runoff.

Related topics
Runoff processor
Runoff processor overview
runoff command (Runoff processor)
Runoff commands