The following conventions are used in this book:
- Italic
Used for file and directory names, for URLs, and for emphasis when introducing a new term.
-
Constant width
Used for code examples.
-
Constant width bold
Indicates user input in examples showing an interaction. Also, in some code examples, highlights the statements being discussed.
-
Constant width italic
In some code examples, indicates an element (e.g., a filename) that you supply.
- UPPERCASE
In code examples, generally indicates PL/SQL keywords.
- lowercase
In code examples, generally indicates user-defined items such as variables, parameters, etc.
- punctuation
In code examples, enter exactly as shown.
- indentation
In code examples, helps to show structure but is not required.
-
- -
In code examples, a double hyphen begins a single-line comment that extends to the end of a line.
-
/*
and*/
In code examples, these characters delimit a multiline comment that can extend from one line to another.
-
.
In code examples and related discussions, a dot qualifies a reference by separating an object name from a component name. For example, dot notation is used to select fields in a record and to specify declarations within a package.
-
[ ]
In syntax descriptions, square brackets enclose optional items.
-
{ }
In syntax descriptions, curly brackets enclose a set of items from which you must choose only one.
-
|
In syntax descriptions, a vertical bar separates the items enclosed in curly brackets, as in {TRUE | FALSE}.
-
...
In syntax descriptions, ellipses indicate repeating elements. An ellipsis also shows that statements or clauses irrelevant to the discussion were left out.
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