About This Manual

%

A percent sign represents the C shell system prompt.

$

A dollar sign represents the system prompt for the Bourne and Korn shells.

#

A number sign represents the Superuser prompt.

%cat

Boldface type represents command or keywords that you must type. In text, bold words are those that are included in the glossary. In examples, text that you enter appears in bold.

italic

Italic text indicates variable values, place holders and function argument names.

Computer text

Computer typeface or information that the computer displays. Examples of source code and file content listing appear in this typeface.

[ ]

Brackets enclose optional items in formats and command descriptions.

{ }

Braces enclose a list from which you must choose and item in formats and command descriptions.

Return or <Return>

Represents a specific key cap on the keyboard. Can be enter, return, shift escape, etc.

Menu Item

Shaded and boxed computer text signifies a menu choice.

|

A vertical bar separates items in a list of choices.

<Ctrl-x>

Indicates a control character sequence. Hold down the control key while you depress the key that appears in the place of the x. For example, <Ctrl-e> means that you hold down the Ctrl key while pressing e.

Entering Commands

When instructed to enter a command, type the command name and then press Return. For example, the instruction "enter the ls command" means that you type ls and then press Return.