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1 Introduction : 1.1 Typographical Conventions Used in this Guide
1.1 Typographical Conventions Used in this Guide
Certain typographical conventions are used in this manual to clarify the meaning and usage of various commands, statements, programs, examples, etc. This section provides a summary of these conventions.
In the following descriptions a term refers to any word or group of words that are language keywords, user-supplied values, literals, etc. A term’s exact meaning depends upon the context in which it is used.
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Italic font introduces a new term, typically, in the sentence that defines it for the first time.
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Fixed-width (mono-spaced) font is used for terms that must be given literally such as SQL commands, specific table and column names used in the examples, programming language keywords, etc. For example, SELECT * FROM emp;
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Italic fixed-width font is used for terms for which the user must substitute values in actual usage. For example, DELETE FROM table_name;
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A vertical pipe | denotes a choice between the terms on either side of the pipe. A vertical pipe is used to separate two or more alternative terms within square brackets (optional choices) or braces (one mandatory choice).
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Square brackets [ ] denote that one or none of the enclosed term(s) may be substituted. For example, [ a | b ], means choose one of “a” or “b” or neither of the two.
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Braces {} denote that exactly one of the enclosed alternatives must be specified. For example, { a | b }, means exactly one of “a” or “b” must be specified.
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Ellipses ... denote that the proceeding term may be repeated. For example, [ a | b ] ... means that you may have the sequence, “b a a b a”.
 
 
1 Introduction : 1.1 Typographical Conventions Used in this Guide

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