# Syntax of arguments of command-line utilities

The following table describes the notation used to document the syntax of arguments of command-line utilities.

Notation | Description
--- | ---
Text without brackets or braces | Text that must be typed as shown
`<value>` | Placeholder for which a value must be substituted.
`[` Text inside square brackets `]` | Optional item.
`{` Text inside braces `}` | Set of required items, separated by a vertical bar.
Vertical bar (`|`) | Separator between mutually exclusive items. At least one must be specified.
Ellipsis (`...`) | Placed after an item that can be repeated.

## Example

Given the following synopsis:

    my_utility [-wkt_format {WKT1|WKT2}] [-oo <NAME>=<VALUE>]...
               <datasetname>

The following command lines are valid:

    my_utility foo.tif

    my_utility -wkt_format WKT1 foo.tif

    my_utility -oo FOO=BAR -oo BAR=BAZ foo.tif