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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!seismo!rlgvax!cvl!umcp-cs!speaker
From: speaker@umcp-cs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.cog-eng
Subject: Re: thousands of input flags in one invocation...
Message-ID: <2252@umcp-cs.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 30-Aug-83 19:42:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: umcp-cs.2252
Posted: Tue Aug 30 19:42:44 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 31-Aug-83 23:13:34 EDT
Organization: Univ. of Maryland, Computer Science Dept.
Lines: 30

I think all programs should respond to a common set of flags.
Examples:

program '--'			# Gives you help.

program <bad flag>		# Says "Type program '--' for help."

program -<flag>			# Subtract attribute like in chmod.

program +<flag>			# Add attribute like in chmod.

program -			# Force standard input.

Incorrect use of a program generates a "Usage" message, and
program should handle signals in an intelligent way.

Bill-yuns and bill-yuns of flags is okay by me.
I know, I know, you're saying to yourself, "Hey that defeats
the philosophy of Unix with its small simple programs."
Well, maybe.  But you can stil have each program operate
in a simple manner when it is used WITHOUT all of the options.

						- Speaker
-- 
Mundane-Name:	John T. Nelson
Full-Name:	Speaker-To-Animals
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