Command Syntax Conventions

Table 1 Typography to mark command syntax
Typographic symbol	Meaning
[ ]	Square brackets. Delimits an optional command parameter or a set of optional command parameters.
{ }	Braces. Delimits a set of command parameters, one of which must be selected.
\|	Vertical bar. Separates mutually exclusive parameters.
...	Ellipsis. Indicates that the immediately preceding parameter or group of parameters can be repeated.
monospace	Indicates the name of a command or the name of a command option (sometimes called a flag or switch).
`italic`	Indicates a variable for which you need to supply a value.

Command parameters that are not enclosed within square brackets ( [ ] ) are required.

Important! The above symbols (and font styling) are based on the POSIX.1-2008 specification. These symbols are used in the command syntax only to clarify how to use the command parameters. Do not enter these symbols on the command line.