[r]/ Terminates data transfer for the current record and starts data transfer for a new record. The "r" is an optional repeat specification. Multiple slashes cause the system to skip input records or to output blank records, as follows: o When "n" consecutive slashes appear between two edit descriptors, "n"-1 records are skipped on input, or "n"-1 blank records are output. The first slash terminates the current record. The second slash terminates the first skipped or blank record, and so on. o When "n" consecutive slashes appear at the beginning or end of a format specification, "n" records are skipped or "n" blank records are output, because the opening and closing parentheses of the format specification are themselves a record initiator and terminator, respectively.