An expansion syntax that creates a set of expressions in software code is disclosed. The syntax includes one or more expansion constructs embedded within a software code expression, interpreted by an expansion function to create a set of expanded expressions. Each construct includes an expansion syntax indicator and a plurality of list parameters, which may be start, end, step, and skip integers, or strings of non-white space. Both constructs may include either default or expressly assigned list names, which serve as iterators during the expansion process. Each expanded expression created includes a list member from each embedded construct. The expansion methodology, and the resulting set of expanded expressions, depends upon the number of unique iterators present in the software code expression and whether any of the embedded constructs include the stride parameter.