Neil Conway wrote:
> Well, my reasoning was that the phrase "VACUUM", particularly when
> typeset as a command, has an exact technical meaning within the
> context of PostgreSQL.
The difference is that "VACUUM" is clearly meant to refer to the
command, and as such it is not a verb. So write "run [the command]
VACUUM" and you're on the safe side. That also saves you from creating
entities like "VACUUMing", which are beyond ugly.
> The presence of a for update trigger on the table [...]
>
> (To invent a random example) I think this is clearer:
>
> The presence of a <literal>FOR UPDATE</literal> trigger on the
> table [...]
This is OK, because in English you can use almost anything as an
adjective.
> However, I Am Not A Technical Writer, so I may be completely
> wrong. BTW, can anyone recommend a good book on technical writing in
> English?
I find that "The Chicago Manual of Style" has answered all my questions
so far. That's not targeted specially at technical writing, but it's
good allround information.
