Chapter 4: Understanding the User Interface
August 1997 Page 4-19
2524UM
Warning: When using context-sensitive help, the space (or lack of a
space) before the question mark (?) is significant.
Get Word Help
To obtain a list of commands that begin with a particular character se-
quence, type in those characters followed imme diately by th e question
mark (?). Do not include a space. This is called word help because it
completes a word for you.
Get Command Syntax Help
To list keywords or arguments, enter a question mark (?) in place of a
keyword or argument. Include a space before the question mark (?).
This form of help is called command syntax help, because it lists key-
words or arguments that are applicable based on the command, key-
words, and arguments you already have entered.
Get Help for Abbreviated Commands
You can abbreviate commands and keywor ds to the number of charac-
ters that allow a unique abbreviation. For example, you can abbreviat
the show command to sh.
Examples
Enter the help command, which is available in any command mode,
for a brief description of the help system:
Router# help
Help may be requested at any point in a command by entering a questio n ma rk ' ?'.
If nothing matches, the help list will be empty and you must back up until
entering a '?' shows the available option s. T wo s tyles of hel p are pr ovid ed:
1. Full help is available when you are ready to enter a command argument (e.g.
'show ?') and describes each possible argument.
2. Partial help is provided wh en a n abbre viat ed a rgument is entered and you w ant
to know what arguments match the i nput (e .g. 'show pr?'.)
These examples illustrate how the context-sensitive help feature en-
ables you to create an access list from configuration mode.
zType the letters co at the system prompt, followed by a question
mark (?). Do not leave a space between the last letter and the ques-
tion mark (?). The system provides the commands that begin with
co.