Arbortext Command Language > Arbortext Command Language Overview > ACL Syntax Conventions
  
ACL Syntax Conventions
These are the conventions used to present ACL command syntax in this document:
• Command syntax statements appear in boldfaced type when they occur in the text flow.
• Square brackets ([]) indicate an optional item. The command is still complete if the optional item is left out. For example:
quit [ok]
The quit command opens a “save changes” prompt before you exit a document, while the quit ok command allows you to exit a document without opening a “save changes” prompt. (The square brackets are not part of the command.)
• A vertical bar (|) separates options when you can choose from several. Here is an example of an ACL command with more than one option:
mark [begin | end]
In the example above, the command can be mark, mark begin, or mark end. (The vertical bar is not part of the command.)
• Curly braces ({}) surround choices when they are not optional. You must supply one item from a list that is surrounded by curly braces. Here is an example:
set expressions= {on | off}
In the example above, the command is either set expressions=on or set expressions=off.
• Items that appear in italics are tokens that indicate the type of information you must supply at that location. Do not type these tokens verbatim. Here is an example of an ACL command that contains a token.
insert_tag markupname
In the example above, the command to insert a tag named chapter is insert_tag chapter.
• In path names, the term Arbortext-path refers to the directory in which Arbortext Editor is installed at your site. When you see Arbortext-path, replace it with your specific path name.
* 
You must separate multiple commands on the same line with a semicolon (for example, copy_mark ii; save_buffers). Also, vertical bars and curly braces that have a larger font size should be typed as part of the command.
This table summarizes the command syntax conventions:
Syntax conventions for commands
Command syntax conventions
This font/notation:
Indicates:
boldface
a command syntax statement
italics
a token name for type of information required; do not type in verbatim (Example: insert_tag markupname)
[] (square brackets)
contents are optional
{} (curly braces)
contents are not optional; choose one if more than one choice is available
| (vertical bar)
separates command options
{} (larger curly braces)
include braces as part of your command
| (bold vertical bar)
include the vertical bar as part of your command
You can enter ACL commands at the Arbortext Editor command line. You can also place ACL commands in a separate file that is executed when Arbortext Editor is first started or when a particular document is opened.
Related Topics
• Startup command files