GNU bug report logs - #10458
24.0.92; ! in dired on a file starting with a hyphen

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Message #79 received at 10458 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Stefan Monnier <monnier <at> iro.umontreal.ca>
To: Lars Ingebrigtsen <larsi <at> gnus.org>
Cc: michael_heerdegen <at> web.de, 10458 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#10458: 24.0.92; ! in dired on a file starting with a hyphen
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2022 21:51:43 -0500

>> The problem with that is that it's hackish and ad-hoc.  It will
>> sometimes do the right thing, but other times it' not what's expected
>> and users will find it odd.
>
> Statistically speaking, it'll work on more cases than `!' used to,
> though.  I'm pretty sure.  And I think it's fine for a command like `!'
> to try to DWIM.

I was thinking of making it less-DWIMish and leave it in control of
the user.  IOW, rather than try to magically "do the right thing" for
files starting with `-`, allow the users to request explicitly absolute
file names (maybe with a prefix command or something like that) when
*they* see it's needed.

It won't fix the user's mistakes, but it will give a simpler semantics
on which powerusers can more easily rely.


        Stefan

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