1237c905323d
c_echo



Hello Jasen - 

CA>> I haven't used getopt() for some time now but I have often
CA>> wondered what the reasons are that most methods of parsing
CA>> the command line want to use switch characters such as "/"
CA>> or "-"? 

JB> usually to separate switches (ie commands) from filenames
JB> or other literals 

With argc available I don't see the need for the switch chars.
Order of entry should be sufficient.

CA>> I've written code that parses from the _end_ of the CLI
CA>> from whitespace to whitespace with no switch characters
CA>> and noticed no inherent weaknesses (for my purposes). 

JB> ??? "_end_ of the CLI" means what exactly? 

Righthand last char on the CLI (command line interface) or argv
if you prefer. 

CA>> One reason I am asking is that using DOS and Linux plus
CA>> third party binaries it is sometimes difficult to remember
CA>> what the switch character even is. I'm getting old? 

JB> propperly written dos utils should use whatever switch
JB> character dos is configured for... (new versions of dos
JB> from major suppliers have'nt been configurable on this
JB> matter for some time) 

JB> many unix ports will ask for - in the documentation but
JB> recognise / too. 

CA>> The requirement of some binaries to use "-f" preceding
CA>> filenames seems a bit unnecessary and I do often forget.
CA>> TAR and GAWK come to mind. 

JB> there's no requirement for "-f" 

JB> tar cf source.tar Makefile README *.c *.h 

JB> :) 

JB> but seriously the f specifies an optional archive filename
JB> while un-swittched filenames on the command-line specify
JB> files fo put in the archive or extract. 

The order of entry should be sufficient I would think if valid
filenames required more than one character prior to the "."
character.

JB> (IIRC the default archive name for tar is either of tar.out
JB> or /dev/rmt) 

>
>        ,                          ,
>      o/      Charles.Angelich      \o       ,
>       __o/
>     / >          USA, MI           < \   __\__
 

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