Description
A Literal is some specific piece of data, taken literally, from a computer system. It is similar in some ways to UserInput and ComputerOutput, but is somewhat more of a general classification. The sorts of things that constitute literals varies by domain.
Processing expectations
Formatted inline. A literal is frequently distinguished typographically and Literal is often used wherever that typographic presentation is desired.
The MoreInfo attribute can help generate a link or query to retrieve additional information.
Future Changes
The content model of Literal will be constrained to (#PCDATA | Replaceable | InlineGraphic) in DocBook V4.0.
Parents
These elements contain Literal: Action, Application, Attribution, BiblioMisc, BridgeHead, Citation, CiteTitle, Command, Comment, ComputerOutput, Database, Emphasis, entry, Filename, ForeignPhrase, FuncParams, FuncSynopsisInfo, Function, GlossSee, GlossSeeAlso, GlossTerm, Hardware, Interface, InterfaceDefinition, KeyCap, LineAnnotation, Link, Literal, LiteralLayout, LoTentry, Member, MsgAud, OLink, Option, Optional, Para, Parameter, Phrase, Primary, PrimaryIE, ProductName, ProgramListing, Property, Quote, RefDescriptor, RefEntryTitle, RefName, RefPurpose, Screen, ScreenInfo, Secondary, SecondaryIE, See, SeeAlso, SeeAlsoIE, SeeIE, Seg, SegTitle, SimPara, Subtitle, Synopsis, SystemItem, Term, Tertiary, TertiaryIE, Title, TitleAbbrev, ToCback, ToCentry, ToCfront, Trademark, ULink, UserInput.
Children
The following elements occur in Literal: Action, Anchor, Application, ClassName, Command, Comment, ComputerOutput, Constant, Database, Email, EnVar, ErrorCode, ErrorName, ErrorType, Filename, Function, GUIButton, GUIIcon, GUILabel, GUIMenu, GUIMenuItem, GUISubmenu, Hardware, IndexTerm, InlineGraphic, InlineMediaObject, Interface, InterfaceDefinition, KeyCap, KeyCode, KeyCombo, KeySym, Link, Literal, Markup, MediaLabel, MenuChoice, MouseButton, MsgText, OLink, Option, Optional, Parameter, Prompt, Property, Replaceable, ReturnValue, SGMLTag, StructField, StructName, Subscript, Superscript, Symbol, SystemItem, Token, Type, ULink, UserInput, VarName.
In some contexts, the following elements are allowed anywhere: BeginPage, IndexTerm.
In some contexts, the following elements are excluded: IndexTerm.