bcquality/microsoft/knowledge/style/begin-on-same-line-as-then-else-do.md
Jesper Schulz-Wedde 2b5550c346
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Improve partner onboarding and documentation navigation (#174)
Lead with a complete plugin quick start and add task-oriented usage, troubleshooting, customization, and contribution guides. Preserve the broader plugin framing, correct conflicting contract guidance, support Agents folder reviews, and align repository validation. Convert existing sample references to clickable links without changing knowledge rules.

Co-authored-by: Jesper Schulz-Wedde <jesper.schulzwedde@microsoft.com>
Co-authored-by: Copilot App <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
2026-09-09 17:31:03 +02:00

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---
bc-version: [all]
domain: style
keywords: [begin, end, compound-statement, aa0005, codecop, formatting]
technologies: [al]
countries: [w1]
application-area: [all]
---
# `begin` goes on the same line as `then`, `else`, or `do` (CodeCop AA0005)
## Description
When a compound block follows `then`, `else`, or `do`, the `begin` keyword must sit on the same line as the preceding keyword, separated by exactly one space. `if Condition then begin` and `for i := 1 to N do begin` are correct. The form that puts `begin` on its own line — common in older AL and in languages like Pascal — is flagged by CodeCop AA0005. The rule does not change indentation of the block body; it only governs the placement of `begin` relative to `then`/`else`/`do`.
## Best Practice
`if Condition then begin … end;`, `else begin … end;`, `for i := 1 to N do begin … end;`. The block body is indented one level below the `if`/`for` line, and `end;` sits at the same indentation as the line that opened the block.
See sample: [`begin-on-same-line-as-then-else-do.good.al`](begin-on-same-line-as-then-else-do.good.al).
## Anti Pattern
A line that ends with `then` (or `else`, or `do`) and is followed by a line whose only content is `begin`. The compiler accepts it but CodeCop AA0005 flags it; the visual cost is a wasted line per block and a layout that looks alien to readers used to current AL style.
See sample: [`begin-on-same-line-as-then-else-do.bad.al`](begin-on-same-line-as-then-else-do.bad.al).