This guide uses the following typographic conventions:
| Bold | Bold words or characters represent system elements that you must use literally, such as commands, options, and pathnames. |
| Italic | Italic words or characters represent variable values that you must supply. Italic type is also used to introduce a new DCE term. |
| Constant width | Examples and information that the system displays appear in constant width typeface. |
| [ ] | Brackets enclose optional items in format and syntax descriptions. |
| { } | Braces enclose a list from which you must choose an item in format and syntax descriptions. |
| | | A vertical bar separates items in a list of choices. |
| < > | Angle brackets enclose the name of a key on the keyboard. |
| ... | Horizontal ellipsis points indicate that you can repeat the preceding item one or more times. |
| <Ctrl-x> or ^x | The notation <Ctrl-x> or ^x followed by the name of a key indicates a control character sequence. For example, <Ctrl-C> means that you hold down the control key while pressing <C>. |
| <Return> | The notation <Return> refers to the key on your terminal or workstation that is labeled with the word Return or Enter, or with a left arrow. |