Standard Messages

Certain commands have standard errors defined in POSIX.2 documentation. Follow the guidelines set up in POSIX.2, if applicable.

• Tell the user to Press the ------ key to select a key on the keyboard, including the specific key to press (such as, Press Ctrl-D).

• Unless the system is overloaded, there is no need to tell the user to Try again later. That should be obvious from the message.

• When writing message text, use the word parameter to describe text on the command line; use the word value to indicate numeric data.

• Use the word flag rather than the words command option.

• Do not use commas to set off the one-thousandth place in values.

• Do not use 1,000. Use 1000.

• If a message must be set off with an asterisk, use two asterisks at the beginning of the message and two asterisks at the end of the message.

  ** Total **

• Use log in and log off as verbs.

  Log in to the system; enter the data; then log off.

• Use user name, group name, and login as nouns.

  The user name is sam. 
  The group name is staff.  
  The login directory is /u/sam.

• User number and group number refer to the number associated with the user's name and group.

• Do not use the term superuser. The root user may not have all privileges.

• Use the words command string to describe the command with its parameters.

• Many of the same messages occur frequently. Table A-1 lists the new standard message that replaces the old message.