The conventions use different font attributes for different components of the syntax. The symbols and fonts are as follows:
| Attribute | Description |
| nonterminal | Italic type indicates nonterminals. |
| const | Terminals in boldface type are literal reserved words and symbols that must be entered as shown. Characters in this context are always case sensitive. |
| opt | Nonterminals followed by opt are always optional. |
| default typeface | Characters in the set described or listed in this typeface can be used as terminals in C statements |
A colon (:) following a nonterminal introduces its definition. Alternative definitions are listed on separate lines, except when prefaced with the words “one of.”