Re: Ways to indicate spaces in command lines?

[Dick Margulis <ampersandvirgule -at- WORLDNET -dot- ATT -dot- NET>]

Moira,

If you are using a monospaced font (such as Courier) to display the
material that is to be typed on the command line, then simply typing a
space--or maybe a double space, if it's a small point size--should be
clear enough. If you are using a proportional font, use an em quad,
instead.

I've also seen a slashed lowercase b used, but I can't point you to a
font or a character code that will produce one.

I've also seen a caret below the line used.
    ^    ^    ^ ^     ^     ^   ^    ^

But that would require baseline shifting the ^ every time.

Of course, depending on what platform you are using, I suppose you could
create a macro, an inline graphic, or whatever, to accomplish either of
these latter two strategies, but I still think just a sifficiently large
visible fixed space will solve the problem.

Dick


Mitchell, Moira E (MED) wrote:
>
> Good morning!
>
> I just returned from a fruitless visit to the Archives.  I am trying to
> update a manual that contains command lines that our field engineers
> use.  Apparently there has been some confusion over where to place
> spaces when they are typing in these commands.  Does anyone have any
> ideas on how I can show them where the spaces (and how many) appear in
> each line?  Using an underscore won't work, because that is actually
> used for directory names, etc.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Moira Mitchell
> GE Medical Systems
>