title: Linux/Unix man page syntax conventions
body: <p>In <code>man</code> pages I come across various syntaxes to write Linux/Unix commands, which include square brackets, angular brackets, hyphens (<code>-</code>) and double hyphens (<code>--</code>) in various combinations. Does anyone know the meaning of these syntax conventions?</p>
  
  <pre><code>[ ]
  &lt; &gt;
  [&lt; &gt;]
  [--]
  -
  --
  [&lt; &gt;...]
  </code></pre>