Documentation Conventions

AaBbCc123

The names of commands, files, and directories, and onscreen computer output 

Edit your .login file.

Use ls -a to list all files.

machine_name% you have mail.

AaBbCc123

What you type, contrasted with onscreen computer output 

machine_name% su

Password:

AaBbCc123

A placeholder to be replaced with a real name or value 

The command to remove a file is rm filename.

AaBbCc123

Book titles, new terms, and terms to be emphasized (note that some emphasized items appear bold online) 

Read Chapter 6 in the User's Guide.

A cache is a copy that is stored locally.

Do not save the file.

[ ]

Contains optional arguments and command options. 

ls [-l]

The -l option is not required.

{ | }

Contains a set of choices for a required command option. 

-d {y|n}

The -d option requires that you use either the y argument or the n argument.

${ }

Indicates a variable reference. 

${com.sun.javaRoot}

References the value of the com.sun.javaRoot variable.

- 

Joins simultaneous multiple keystrokes. 

Control-A 

Press the Control key while you press the A key. 

+ 

Joins consecutive multiple keystrokes. 

Ctrl+A+N 

Press the Control key, release it, and then press the subsequent keys. 

-> 

Indicates menu item selection in a graphical user interface. 

File -> New -> Templates 

From the File menu, choose New. From the New submenu, choose Templates. 

C shell on UNIX and Linux systems 

machine_name%

C shell superuser on UNIX and Linux systems 

machine_name#

Bourne shell and Korn shell on UNIX and Linux systems 

$

Bourne shell and Korn shell superuser on UNIX and Linux systems 

#