Change in syntax OK for binary data?

[Daniel J S. <dan...@ie...>]

A while back Ethan brought to my attention that the binary code didn't allow use of defined expressions like most commands in gnuplot, i.e., it didn't use the routine const_express().

Using const_express() created a problem with syntax.  The issue is that the comma separating multiple entries must be resolved against its use as the separator between two plot commands on the same line.  To do that would require attempting to check if there is a valid constant expression, if not, back up and treat as the start of a new plot command.  However, const_express() internally errors and does not return, so that idea is strictly limited.

So, as a straightforward workaround, I suggest a change in syntax--on something that few people have probably used as of yet.  So, anyone have any objections of changing the separator from a comma to a colon.  That will have an appearance similar to "using 1:2:3", for example

-splot 'scatter2.bin' binary endian=little record=30,30,29,26 using 1:2:3

would become

+splot 'scatter2.bin' binary endian=little record=30:30:29:26 using 1:2:3


The colon would now be in several place, e.g.,

splot 'image.foo' binary center=(50,50):(150,50) with rgbimage

Dan