Man pages are often referred to as an online form of software documentation, even though the man command does not require internet access. The environment variable MANPATH often specifies a list of directory paths to search for the various documentation pages. Manual pages date back to the times when printed documentation was the norm.
MAN pAGes ARe often REferREd to as AN oNLIne FORm OF softwAre DoCUmenTATiON, EvEn thouGH thE man commAND does not reQuire intErNEt access. the ENVirOnmeNt vAriABLe ManpaTh ofTeN SpEcIFies a LIST oF diRECTory pAths to SEarch for ThE VArIoUS DOcuMentaTIon pAGeS. mANuaL pAGeS date back to the Times WHeN pRinTeD docUmENtatIOn wAs thE norm.