For the latest version of JMP Help, visit JMP.com/help.


Publication date: 07/15/2025

Basic JSL Syntax

A JSL script is a series of expressions. Each expression is a section of JSL code that accomplishes a task. JSL expressions hold data, manipulate data, and send commands to objects.

Many expressions are nested message names. Message contents are enclosed in parentheses:

Message Name ( argument 1, argument 2, ... );

The meaning of JSL names depends on the context. The same name might mean one thing in a data table context and something entirely different in a function context. See “Rules for Name Resolution”.

Almost anything that follows certain punctuation rules, such as matching parentheses, is a valid JSL expression. For example:

win = New Window( "Window Example",
	<<Modal,
	Text Box( "Hello, World" ),
	Text Box( "-----" ),
	Button Box( "OK" )
);

Notes:

• Names can have embedded spaces. See “JSL Rules for Names”.

• Message contents are enclosed in parentheses, which must be balanced. See “Parentheses”.

• Items are separated by commas. See “Commas”.

• JSL is not case sensitive; you can type “text box();” or “Text Box()”.

• Messages are commonly nested inside other messages.

Want more information? Have questions? Get answers in the JMP User Community (community.jmp.com).