Style and Syntax Conventions

A reference to the fonts and special characters used to express command syntax and to represent elements of system output and user input.

Style Conventions
Key	Definition
monospaced(fixed-width)	SQL and program code Commands to be entered exactly as shown File names Directory names
`italic monospaced`	In SQL or program code snippets, placeholders for user-specified values (see example below).
`italic`	File and variable names Cross-references to other topics or documents In text, placeholders for user-specified values (see example below) Glossary terms in text
bold sans serif	Command, function, stored procedure, utility, class, and method names Glossary entries (in the Glossary) Menu option paths In numbered task or procedure steps, user-interface (UI) elements that you click, such as buttons, check boxes, icons, and so on

A placeholder represents a system- or environment-specific value that you supply. For example:

installation directory\start.bat

where installation directory is where the application is installed.

Syntax Conventions
Key	Definition
{ }	Curly braces indicate that you must choose at least one of the enclosed options. Do not type the braces when you enter the command.
[ ]	Brackets mean that choosing one or more of the enclosed options is optional. Do not type the brackets when you enter the command.
( )	Parentheses are to be typed as part of the command.
\|	The vertical bar means you can select only one of the options shown.
,	The comma means you can choose as many of the options shown as you like, separating your choices with commas that you type as part of the command.
...	An ellipsis (three dots) means you may repeat the last unit as many times as you need. Do not include ellipses in the command.