The majority of user input into Hog 4 OS is handled through the command line. Keystrokes and button presses accumulate on the Command Line Toolbar where users build executable commands such as recording a cue. In some cases command line input is executed immediately but in most cases you must press Enter to confirm that the command is complete. To remove any unwanted keystrokes from the command line press the Backspace key once. To completely clear the command line double-press the Backspace key.
The basic order and structure of the Hog 4 OS command line syntax is: Source, Mask, Command, Options, Destination.
Source: The source is the object within the show that you want to take data from. It might be a palette, scene, cue, or the editable editor. With most commands the source object is not modified.
Mask: The Mask is a filter for when you only want some of the data from that object. There are two types of mask: a fixture mask specifies only data for certain fixtures (for example Cyberlight 1); a kind mask specifies only data for certain kinds (for example Colour, Beam). If no mask is specified then the entire contents of the current active editor are included in the command.
Command: The Command is the operation you want to perform. Commands include Copy, Record, Delete, Move, Merge, Knockout. Some of these only need a source to be specified, others only need a destination, but they all have the same syntactical form.
Options: The behaviour of some commands (for example Record) can be altered with options. These usually appear on a pop-up toolbar once the command key is pressed.
Destination: The destination is the object that will be affected by the command. Again it might be a palette, cue, scene or the editable editor. If the destination already exists, and the action to take is unclear, then you will be asked what the console should do.
Some examples of command line syntax are shown in the table below. Note that a final press of the Enter key is required to tell the console to the command is complete and ready to be executed. If the the command line text turns red then the syntax is invalid.
| Source | Mask | Command | Options | Destination | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record | Position 1 | Records a position palette to location 1 in the position palette directory. No source is given, so the content of the current editor is assumed. | |||
| Record | Replace | Position 1 | The Replace option (on the Record Options Toolbar) ensures that the new palette replaces the previously recorded palette. | ||
Position
1
| Copy | Position 2 | The Copy command takes the Position 1 palette as its source. | ||
Position
1 | Copy | Replace | Position 2 | This example combines using a source and a record option. | |
Group
2 | Record | Position 3 | Here Group 2 acts as a mask for the record command, so that only fixtures in Group 2 are recorded into the Position 3 palette. | ||
Cue 1
Group 3 | Position | Copy | Cue 5 | Here the parameter values of fixtures in Group 3 are copied from Cue 1 to Cue 5. The Position option applied to the copy command means that only position parameters are included. |
To the right of the command line is the Status Bar which provides basic information about the status of the console as well as connected network items.
The table below describes many of the different items shown on the Status Bar:
| Description | Examples |
|---|---|
| System Task Status |
 - No tasks running  - Tasks are running  - Task failure Click on the task status icon to open the task status window and dismiss failure icon. |
| Kestroke Macro Status |
 - Keystroke macros idle  - Keystroke macro playing  - Keystroke macro recording |
| Function Key Mode | CMD (command key mode) KIND (kind key mode) |
| Kind Masking Mode | ADD (additive) SUB (subtractive) |
| Chat Status | Click on chat icon to open the chat window. |
| Trackball mode | --- (pointer mode) POS (position mode) POS, ortho (position ortho mode) |
| Keyboard Mode | Abc (normal mode) MAP (keyboard shortcuts enabled) |
| Name of the current page | Page 1 (click on this area to open page directory) |
| Current editor | Programmer |
| Currently chosen master | Master 10 |
| Network status |
 - Network is stable  - Data is syncing across consoles  - DP on network needs software upgrade  - Network Fault, check connections |
| Local console time (Hour:Minute) | 16:28 |