deciphering SHP file for fonts

I am creating fonts using the bonus tools MKSHAPE command.
Is there a way to incude a final PEN UP vector to add character spacing to the shape definition? Without it, the letters pile up on one another.
Generally, Is there a way to control the vector order of MKSHAPE?
If not, I have to enter some vectors manually, which requires me understanding the SHP syntax. What do parentheses denote? I can't find reference to this in the help.

 

(I haven't used MKSHAPE, so I don't know whether there's a way to force
letter spacing. You might have to edit it in yourself.)

Parentheses are optional, for improved readability. They're in there -- see
the Customization Guide in Help, (if you're in Acad2000) Chapter 3 - Shapes,
Fonts and PostScript Support / Creating Shape Definition Files / Shape
Descriptions / Special Codes, or (if you're in Acad2004) Shapes and Shape
Fonts / Create Shape Font Definition Files / Special Codes, or something
equivalent in other releases. Parentheses are most applicable to Special
Codes 8 and up.

 

What do parentheses denote? I can't find reference to this in the help.

From the 2004 Customization Guide/Shapes and Shape Fonts/Special Codes/Codes
8 and 9: X-Y Displacements:

8,X-displacement,Y-displacement

The XY displacements can range from -128 to +127. A leading + is optional,
and you can use parentheses to improve readability. The following example
results in a vector that draws (or moves) 10 units to the left and three
units up.

8,(-10,3)

I believe there are codes for the things you want to do. It's not easy to
understand, but it's all documented if you dig around.