INTRODUCTION



User Input

Sometimes I'll ask you to type something. For example, you might need to type a
particular value into the field of a dialog box. This special font helps you see what you
need to type.

Filename

A variable name is a value that you need to replace with something else. For example,
you might need to provide the name of your server as part of a command line argument.
Because I don't know the name of your server, I'll provide a variable name instead. The
variable name you'll see usually provides a clue as to what kind of information you need
to supply. In this case, you'll need to provide a filename. Although the book doesn't
provide examples of every variable that you might encounter, it does provide enough
so that you know how to use them with a particular command.
[

Filename

]
When you see square brackets around a value, switch, or command, it means that
this is an optional component. You don't have to include it as part of the command
line or dialog field unless you want the additional functionality that the value,
switch, or command provides.
File

Open
Menus and the selections on them appear with a special menu arrow symbol. "File

Open" means "Access the File menu and choose Open."

italic

You'll normally see words in italic if they have special meaning or if this is the first use of
the term and the text provides a definition for it. Always pay special attention to words
in italic because they're unique in some way. When you see a term that you don't
understand, make sure you check the glossary for the meaning of the term as well. The
glossary also includes definitions for every nonstandard acronym in the book.

Monospace

Some words appear in a monospace font because they're easier to see or require
emphasis of some type. For example, all filenames in the book appear in a monospace
font to make them easier to read.

URLs

URLs will normally appear in a monospace font so that you can see them with greater
ease. The URLs in this book provide sources of additional information designed to
make your development experience better. URLs often provide sources of interesting
information as well.

Table 1.1:

Standard Usage Conventions

(continued)

Convention
Explanation