Table of Contents

• 1. end
  • 1.1. Syntax
  • 1.2. Stack Effects
  • 1.3. Description
  • 1.4. PostScript Level
  • 1.5. Examples
  • 1.6. Common Use Cases
    • 1.6.1. Scoped Definitions
    • 1.6.2. Configuration Blocks
  • 1.7. Common Pitfalls
  • 1.8. Error Conditions
  • 1.9. Implementation Notes
  • 1.10. Best Practices
  • 1.11. See Also

1. end

Pops the current dictionary from the dictionary stack.

1.1. Syntax

– end → –

1.2. Stack Effects

Table 1. Before

Level	Object
(none)	Dictionary stack has at least 3 dictionaries

Table 2. After

Level	Object
(none)	Dictionary stack decreased by one

1.3. Description

end pops the current dictionary off the dictionary stack, making the dictionary below it the new current dictionary.

If end attempts to pop the bottommost instance of userdict, it executes [dictstackunderflow] error. The permanent dictionaries (systemdict, globaldict, userdict) cannot be removed.

1.4. PostScript Level

Level 1 and later

1.5. Examples

Balanced begin/end

10 dict begin
  /x 100 def
end
% x no longer accessible

Nested scopes

dict1 begin
  /var1 1 def
  dict2 begin
    /var2 2 def
  end
  % var2 no longer accessible
  % var1 still accessible
end
% var1 no longer accessible

Error recovery

{
  mydict begin
  % ... operations that might fail ...
  end
} stopped {
  end  % Clean up dict stack on error
} if

1.6. Common Use Cases

1.6.1. Scoped Definitions

5 dict begin
  /temp 42 def
  % Use temp
  temp 2 mul
end
% temp no longer defined

1.6.2. Configuration Blocks

/config 20 dict def
config begin
  /setting1 value1 def
  /setting2 value2 def
end

1.7. Common Pitfalls

Unmatched end - Executing end without matching begin causes [dictstackunderflow].

end  % Error: no matching begin

Cannot Pop Permanent Dictionaries - Cannot pop systemdict or the bottommost userdict.

% After many ends...
end  % Eventually: dictstackunderflow

Use Defensive Coding - In error handlers, ensure dictionary stack is properly balanced.

1.8. Error Conditions

Error	Condition
[dictstackunderflow]	Attempt to pop bottommost userdict, or stack already at minimum

1.9. Implementation Notes

• Dictionary stack minimum: systemdict, userdict (Level 1)

• Dictionary stack minimum: systemdict, globaldict, userdict (Level 2)

• Very fast operation

• Does not modify operand stack

1.10. Best Practices

Always balance begin/end

dict begin
  % ... operations ...
end  % Always match

Use in procedures

/myProc {
  10 dict begin
    % Local scope
  end
} def

1.11. See Also

• begin - Push dictionary onto stack

• currentdict - Get current dictionary

• countdictstack - Count stack depth

• dictstack - Examine dictionary stack