The following conventions are used in the synopsis of a command:

  1. brackets [ ] indicate optional parts.
  2. Braces{}and vertical lines | indicate that you must choose one alternative.
  3. Dots … mean that the preceding element can be repeated.
  4. **lowercase bold **font indicates a placeholder which should be replaced with an actual value e.g: table_name, parameter_name, etc.
  5. UPPERCASE COURIER NEW font indicates SQL language literals (e.g. SELECT)
  6. lowercase courier new font indicates parameter names (e.g. devices)

All other symbols, including parentheses, should be taken literally.