var

The <var> element defines a variable within a syntax diagram for which the user must supply content, such as their user name or password. Processors typically represent the <var> element in output in an italic font, but are not required to do so. This element is part of the DITA programming domain, a special set of DITA elements designed to document programming tasks, concepts, and reference information.

Content models

See appendix for information about this element in OASIS document type shells.

Inheritance

+ topic/ph pr-d/var

Example

<syntaxdiagram frame="bottom">
 <title>CopyFile</title>
 <groupseq><kwd>COPYF</kwd></groupseq>
 <groupcomp><var>input-filename</var><kwd>*INFILE</kwd></groupcomp>
 <groupseq><var>output-filename</var><kwd>*OUTFILE</kwd></groupseq>
 <groupchoice><var>input-filename</var><kwd>*INFILE</kwd></groupchoice>
 <groupchoice><var>output-filename</var><kwd>*OUTFILE</kwd></groupchoice>
</syntaxdiagram>

Attributes

The following attributes are available on this element: Universal attribute group (with a narrowed definition of @importance, given below) and outputclass.

@importance

The attribute indicates whether this item in a syntax diagram is optional, required, or default. Output processors can indicate this designation in a generated diagram. Allowable values are:

optional: This section of the syntax is optional.
required: This section of the syntax is required.
default: This section of the syntax is used by default or has this default value.
-dita-use-conref-target: See Using the -dita-use-conref-target value for more information.