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It seems that the help lines for GNU programs are very standardized. I am wondering where the documentation for this syntax is.
If you don't know what I am talking about, here is an example:
tar [-] A --catenate --concatenate | c --create | d --diff --compare | --delete | r --append | t --list | --test-label | u --update | x --extract --get [options] [pathname ...]
When do you use |, when do you use []? Why are some things underlined? This is what I want to know, so that I can write more consistent help lines.
Last edited by egan (2010-07-25 00:21:31)
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| means or, [] means an optional part
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backus–Naur_Form
'a | b' means you can specify either a or b, you can't use them both at the same time
Last edited by karol (2010-07-24 23:19:08)
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Interesting... I guess that answers my question. Backus-Naur form.
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