Release Character

An EDIFACT syntax service character defined by ISO 9735.

Definition

Placed immediately before a separator (« + », « : », « ' ») or before itself, the release character signals that this character is part of the value, not of the structure. Its default value « ? » sits in the fourth position of the service characters declared in the UNA segment.

Origin

Defined among the service characters of ISO 9735 (EDIFACT — Application level syntax rules), ISO/TC 154 / UN/CEFACT.

Example in context

To encode the literal « Smith+Co » in an element: NAD+SU+++Smith?+Co' — the « ?+ » is read as a data « + », not as a separator.

Related terms

• UNA — declares the release character.
• Data Element Separator — the « + » it escapes.