Each section is enclosed in parentheses and begins with a decimal integer indicating its type. This integer is different for formatted and binary files (see Formatting Conventions in Binary Files and Formatted Files).

All groups of items are enclosed in parentheses. This makes skipping to ends of (sub)sections and parsing them very easy. It also allows for easy and compatible addition of new items in future releases.

Header information for lists of items is enclosed in separate sets of parentheses, preceding the items, which are in their own parentheses.