A concise linear notation for expressing space group settings and space group/subgroup or group/supergroup transformations (CLEG) has been presented. CLEG notation is a simple, compact, unambiguous notation that can be used in association with tabulated or calculated information from the ITA. The notation is compatible with Hermann-Mauguin names, with the limitation that there is not always a 1:1 mapping of those names to specific CLEG transformations. The notation can be made canonical and allows the use of Hall notation, providing fully-contained descriptions of space group settings and their transformations. This, along with the ability to create one's own custom settings, is all that is necessary to describe any setting or transformation for the 230 crystallographic space groups. The same general method could be adapted for magnetic and incommensurately modulated space groups, but that work is left for future collaborations.