10.7 @small… Block Commands

In addition to the regular @example and @lisp commands, Texinfo has “small” example-style commands. These are @smalldisplay, @smallexample, @smallformat, and @smalllisp.

In Info, the @small… commands are equivalent to their non-small companion commands.

In TeX, however, the @small… commands typeset text in a smaller font than the non-small example commands. Consequently, many examples containing long lines fit on a page without needing to be shortened.

Mark the end of an @small… block with a corresponding @end small…. For example, pair @smallexample with @end smallexample.

Here is an example of the font used by the @small… commands (in Info, the output will be the same as usual):

… to make sure that you have the freedom to
distribute copies of free software (and charge for
this service if you wish), that you receive source
code or can get it if you want it, that you can
change the software or use pieces of it in new free
programs; and that you know you can do these things.

The @small… commands make it easier to prepare manuals without forcing you to edit examples by hand to fit them onto narrower pages.

As a general rule, a printed document looks much better if you use only one of (for instance) @example or @smallexample consistently within a chapter.