Unix Command Syntax Conventions

I am looking for Unix command syntax conventions to describe the use the following : (may be we do not have all the conventions below )

1- boldface

2- italics Italic text indicates what ?

3- [x] Square brackets indicate what ?

4- {x} Braces ?

5- (x) paranthesis ?

6- y | z vertical lines indicate what ?

There is no comprehensive details in the link below:

http://cm.bell-labs.com/cm/cs/who/dmr/manintro.html

this sounds like homework. Why do you want to know and why link to a random page?

You guess is far.



Did you mean what or why ?


It is not random page.

A few conventions are used, particularly in the Commands section.
Underlined words are considered literals, and are typed just as they appear.
Square brackets ( [] ) around an argument indicate that the argument is optional. When an argument is given as name, it always refers to a file name.

oh, you mean in man pages...

1- boldface

the command usage, section headers, switches

2- italics Italic text indicates what ?

no idea
3- [x] Square brackets indicate what ?

optional, or choose one from a list.

4- {x} Braces ?

no idea

5- (x) paranthesis ?

used to group logic. eg (--switch-1 | --switch-2)

6- y | z vertical lines indicate what ?

an `or`. type one or the other.

Thanks for that.

Could you please refer me if there is any resources for these type of informatios for future reference.

there isn't really, google is your friend.