Text type

Meaning

"Quoted text"

Quotes from people, quoted computer output.

terminal view

Literal computer input and output captured from the terminal, usually rendered with a light grey background.

command

Name of a command that can be entered on the command line.

VARIABLE

Name of a variable or pointer to content of a variable, as in $VARNAME.

option

Option to a command, as in "the -a option to the ls command".

argument

Argument to a command, as in "read man ls ".

prompt

User prompt, usually followed by a command that you type in a terminal window, like in hilda@home> ls -l

command options

arguments

Command synopsis or general usage, on a separated line.

filename

Name of a file or directory, for example "Change to the /usr/bin directory."

Key

Keys to hit on the keyboard, such as "type Q to quit".

Button

Graphical button to click, like the OK button.

Menu->Choice

Choice to select from a graphical menu, for instance: "SelectHelp->About Mozilla in your browser."

Terminology

Important term or concept: "The Linux kernel is the heart of the system."

The backslash in a terminal view or command synopsis indicates an unfinished line. In other words, if you see a long command that is cut into multiple lines, \ means "Don't press Enter yet!"

See Chapter 1

link to related subject within this guide.

The author

Clickable link to an external web resource.