Character
Symbol
Use
letter
A to Z,_#%@
Parts of names. Lowercase letters are allowed on most computers; they are treated like uppercase letters. # % cannot be used as part of a name in the MATRIX command.
digit
0 to 9
Parts of numbers or names
decimal point
.
Marks the decimal point in numbers; sets off logical operators; specifies string substitution in the DOT procedure
comma
,
Separates the words in a list and arguments in multivariate functions like CNORM2; spaces may be used, but commas are often preferred for clarity
colon
:
Part of date
semicolon
;
Marks the end of a statement
dollar sign
$
Equivalent to ; . Semicolon is preferred.
quotation mark
"
Marks the beginning and end of a text string (title or filename); specifies matrix inversion
apostrophe
’
Marks the beginning and end of a text string; specifies matrix transposition
parentheses
() [] {}
Encloses a list of options or expressions/lags in algebraic formulas
question mark
?
Delimits the beginning of comments. (Comments are terminated by the end of the input line or logical record.)
plus sign
+
Specifies addition
minus sign
-
Specifies subtraction, a lag, or a list
star
*
Specifies multiplication or is part of power (**)
slash
/
Specifies division
pound sign
#
Matrix Kronecker product 
percent
%
Matrix Hadamard product (element by element)
equal sign
=
Specifies equality or definition of data; relational operator (.EQ., .NE., .LE.,.GE.).
ampersand
&
Logical operator (.AND.)
vertical bar
|
Logical operator (.OR.); Also used to separate lists of variables in INST, KALMAN, LOGIT, SAMPSEL, and VAR
caret or hat
^
Logical operator (.NOT., .NE.) or power (**), depending on context
tilde
~
Logical operator (.NOT., .NE.)
less than
<
Relational operator (.LT., .LE.)
greater than
>
Relational operator (.GT., .GE.)
continuation
\
Continuation of a line (interactive)
miscellaneous
!`
Reserved for future use