How do I parse the syntax of the route instruction on a German railway ticket?

With a Deutsche Bahn Flexpreis ticket, one can take any trains on the day of travel, but the route is still limited. The permitted route along which the ticket is valid is written on the ticket, but in a rather cryptic way. For example:

VIA: (MD/BOK*SDL*H)*GOE*(FD/KS*GI)*HU

Or:

VIA: VAI*(PF*KA*SIF*MZ/BR*HD*MA)*F

I have found a list of abbreviations: MD is Magdeburg, BOK is Berlin Ostkreuz, SDL is Stendal, H Hannover, GOE Göttingen, FD Fulda, KS Kassel, GI Gießen, HU Hanau, VAI Vaihingen, PF Pforzheim, KA Karlsruhe, SIF Schifferstadt, MZ Mainz, BR Bruchsal, HD Heidelberg, MA Mannheim, and F Frankfurt.

But what is the meaning of the syntax with parentheses, solidus, and asterisks? I suppose they may have meanings related to either/or, and, may, must, but I cannot find a full explanation anywhere, only explanations of specific cases. How do I read those route instructions?

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How do I read my Deutsche Bahn ticket?

Translated Deutsche Bahn Ticket

the departing station (Berlin Hbf),

the destination station (Praha hl. n.),

the date of the trip (11.01, or January 11th\u2014 remember that in Europe, days and months are inverted, so that they read: DD. MM. ...

the time of departure, as well as the departing platform,

and the train number.

What does WG mean on German train ticket?

Wagen: coach (on mobile tickets, 'Wg' is used as an abbreviation of Wagen)

What does KI CI mean?

Acronym. Definition. KICI. Kleding Inzameling Charitatieve Instellingen (Dutch: Clothing Collection Charitable Institutions)

How do you board a train in Germany?

You can book your train in Germany online through Deutsche Bahn or through the Deutsche Bahn app. If you buy online, you often then have the option to download a mobile ticket to your phone on the DB train app and save on paper.

A1 - Lesson 65 | eine Fahrkarte kaufen | Buying a train ticket | Learn German for beginners

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