pseudocommands

Pseudocommands are tokens or strings that resemble the syntax of a command language but do not correspond to actual executable instructions. They function primarily as placeholders, examples, or demonstrations rather than as concrete, running commands. The concept is used across contexts such as software documentation, tutorials, user interfaces, and educational materials to illustrate structure, options, or workflows without risking real system changes.

In practice, pseudocommands differ from real commands in that they are inert or simulated. They may be labeled clearly as synthetic or used within a sandboxed environment where no side effects occur. This makes pseudocommands useful for teaching, scripting templates, or user interface walkthroughs where showing the form of a command is more important than executing it.

Common uses include training tutorials that expose a command’s syntax, parameter options, or chaining patterns without requiring a live system. They also appear in mock interfaces and documentation examples to demonstrate how a command would be written, parsed, or reported in error messages. In natural language processing, pseudocommands can be employed to elicit or train models to recognize command-like intent without executing actions.

Variants of pseudocommands can be visual, such as diagrammatic representations of command flows, or linguistic, where sentences imitate command phrases for corpus annotation. Critics argue that without explicit labeling, pseudocommands may confuse users into thinking an instruction is executable. Best practices call for clear distinction from real commands and explicit notes that the items are illustrative or non-operational. See also: command language, mock command, dry run.