Typographic Conventions

The title of a book. On the web, this can be a hyperlink to the book itself.

A command name or command phrase, for example ls -a.

Information displayed by the computer.

A key sequence that indicates you must hold down the keyboard key labeled Ctrl while you press the letter x.

The name of an environment variable, for example, PATH.

The name of a keyboard key. Return and Enter both refer to the same key.

A term or phrase that is defined in the body text of the document, not in a glossary.

Indicates commands and text that you type exactly as shown.

The name of a placeholder that you replace with an actual value.

In command syntax statements, these characters enclose optional content.

In command syntax statements, these characters enclose required content.

The character that separates items in a linear list of choices.

Indicates that the preceding element can be repeated one or more times.

An alert that calls attention to important information that, if not understood or followed, results in personal injury.

An alert that calls attention to important information that, if not understood or followed, results in data loss, data corruption, or damage to hardware or software.

An alert that calls attention to essential information.

An alert that contains additional or supplementary information.

An alert that provides helpful information.