8.6 @ref

@ref is nearly the same as @xref except that it does not generate a `See' in the printed output, just the reference itself. This makes it useful as the last part of a sentence.

For example,

For more information, @pxref{This}, and @ref{That}.

produces in Info:

For more information, *note This::, and *note That::.

and in printed output:

For more information, see Section 1.1 [This], page 1, and Section 1.2 [That], page 2.

The @ref command sometimes tempts writers to express themselves in a manner that is suitable for a printed manual but looks awkward in the Info format. Bear in mind that your audience will be using both the printed and the Info format. For example:

Sea surges are described in @ref{Hurricanes}.

looks ok in the printed output:

Sea surges are described in Section 6.7 [Hurricanes], page 72.

but is awkward to read in Info, “note” being a verb:

Sea surges are described in *note Hurricanes::.

You should write a period or comma immediately after an @ref command with two or more arguments. If there is no such following punctuation, makeinfo will generate a (grammatically incorrect) period in the Info output; otherwise, the cross-reference would fail completely, due to the current syntax of Info format.

In general, it is best to use @ref only when you need some word other than “see” to precede the reference. When “see” (or “See”) is ok, @xref and @pxref are preferable.