---
title: s.option
description: "## Syntax **s.option** ## Purpose The s.option annotation is used to tag a span element as being an optional argument in a function, API, command, or any other programming element that takes arguments. ## Example The following is an example…"
url: "https://www.stilo.com/docs/migrate/task/s-option/"
updated: "2023-12-11"
category: Annotations / Task
tags:
  - Annotations
---

# s.option

## Syntax

**s.option**

## Purpose

The s.option annotation is used to tag a span element as being an optional argument in a function, API, command, or any other programming element that takes arguments.

## Example

The following is an example of a time when you might want to use the annotation

![](https://www.stilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/stilo-dita-xml-annotation-s.option0.png)

 

The following is an example of a rule that will apply the annotation

![](https://www.stilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/stilo-dita-xml-annotation-s.option1.png)

The following is the DITA XML output for the rule:

<p>      len is the length of the password</p>

<p><option>alpha</option> is the number of letters in the password (upper and lowercase)</p>

<p><option>num</option> is the number of numbers in the password</p>

<p><option>sym</option> is the number of symbols in the password</p>

<p>If no values are given for <option>alpha</option>, <option>num</option>, and <option>sym</option>, random values totalling len will be assigned.</p>