Message Conventions

Message specification syntax follows several conventions to convey what parameters are required or optional and how they and their values must be specified.

Table 5-1 Message Conventions

Symbol Description
monospace with background
All code examples.
monospace Names of commands when provided outside of a code example.
italics Variable names when provided outside of a code example or value list.
spaces Spaces (for example, zero or more space characters, " ") may be inserted anywhere except within a single name or number. At least one space is required to separate adjacent names or numbers.
Ellipses represent a variable number of repeated entries. For example:
dn DN1 , dn DN2, …, dn DN7, dn DN8 
< > Angle brackets are used to enclose parameter values that are choices or names.
In the following example, the numbers represent specific value choices.
parameter1 <1|2|3>
In the following example, ServerName represents the actual value.
parameter2 <ServerName>
In the following example, the numbers represent a choice in the range from 0 to 3600.
parameter3 <0..3600>
[ ] Square brackets are used to enclose an optional parameter and its value.
[, parameter1 < 1|2|3 >]
A parameter and its value that are not enclosed in square brackets are mandatory.
| The pipe symbol is used in a parameter value list to indicate a choice between available values.
Parameter1 <1|2|3>
, A literal comma is used in the message to separate each parameter that is specified.