The Windows symbol signifies text that is applicable only to Windows.
The UNIX symbol signifies text that is applicable only to UNIX and Linux.
The macOS symbol signifies text that is applicable only to macOS.
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Convention
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Explanation
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italics
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Introduces new terms with which you may not be familiar, and is used occasionally for emphasis.
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bold
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Emphasizes important information. Also indicates button, menu, and icon names on which you can act. For example, click Next.
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BOLD UPPERCASE
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Indicates keys or key combinations that you can use. For example, press the ENTER key.
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UPPERCASE
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Indicates SQL reserved words.
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monospace
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Indicates syntax examples, values that you specify, or results that you receive.
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monospaced italics
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Indicates names that are placeholders for values that you specify. For example, filename.
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>
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Separates menus and their associated commands. For example, Select File > Copy means that you should select Copy from the File menu.
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/
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The slash also separates directory levels when specifying locations under UNIX, Linux or macOS.
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vertical rule |
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Indicates an "OR" separator used to delineate items.
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brackets [ ]
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Indicates optional items. For example, in the following statement: SELECT [DISTINCT], DISTINCT is an optional keyword.
Also indicates sections of the Windows Registry.
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braces { }
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Indicates that you must select one item. For example, {yes | no} means that you must specify either yes or no.
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ellipsis . . .
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Indicates that the immediately preceding item can be repeated any number of times in succession. An ellipsis following a closing bracket indicates that all information in that unit can be repeated.
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