Positional Parameters

Early and deferred parameter substitution in language strings

Language strings (in english.toml) can contain positional parameters that are filled in by the BBS at runtime. There are two expansion modes.

For a full guide to the language string system, see Language Files (TOML).

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Early Expansion (|!N)

Code	Parameter
\|!1–\|!9	Parameters 1 through 9
\|!A–\|!F	Parameters 10 through 15

Early-expansion parameters are substituted before formatting operators run. Use |!N when the parameter value feeds into a formatting operator as an argument — for example, providing the repeat count for $D:

# |!3 provides the number "75", which becomes the repeat count for $D
box_border = { text = "|br$D|!3\xC4" }

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Deferred Expansion (|#N)

Code	Parameter
\|#1–\|#9	Parameters 1 through 9
\|#A–\|#F	Parameters 10 through 15

Deferred-expansion parameters are substituted during formatting-operator processing. Pending format ops ($L, $R, $T, $C) are applied to the resolved value. Use |#N when a formatting operator should wrap the parameter output:

# $L04 left-pads the node number to 4 columns
# $T28$R28 trims the username to 28 chars then right-pads to 28
who_row = { text = "|15 $L04|#2  $T28$R28|#1  |12|!3" }

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Mixing Both Modes

Both |!N and |#N share the same slot numbering. A single language string can mix both — early slots are replaced first, deferred slots are resolved later with format ops applied:

# |#1 = username (deferred, gets padded), |!3 = status (early, plain text)
user_line = { text = "$R20|#1 |!3" }

Note: Positional parameters are primarily used in language file strings. Display files and menu titles typically use info codes (|XY) instead.

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See Also

• Display Codes — overview and quick reference
• Format Operators — padding, alignment, and repetition operators that interact with deferred parameters
• Language Files (TOML) — the language string system
• Info Codes — dynamic data codes for display files and menus