From unknown Tue Jun 17 22:27:56 2025 X-Loop: help-debbugs@gnu.org Subject: bug#13300: tail - backwards compatibility (tail +$line $filename) Resent-From: Martyn Hare Original-Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Resent-CC: bug-coreutils@gnu.org Resent-Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2012 23:27:01 +0000 Resent-Message-ID: Resent-Sender: help-debbugs@gnu.org X-GNU-PR-Message: report 13300 X-GNU-PR-Package: coreutils X-GNU-PR-Keywords: To: 13300@debbugs.gnu.org X-Debbugs-Original-To: "bug-coreutils@gnu.org" Received: via spool by submit@debbugs.gnu.org id=B.135673719430688 (code B ref -1); Fri, 28 Dec 2012 23:27:01 +0000 Received: (at submit) by debbugs.gnu.org; 28 Dec 2012 23:26:34 +0000 Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1]:35321 helo=debbugs.gnu.org) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.72) (envelope-from ) id 1TojJw-0007yt-Gs for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:26:33 -0500 Received: from eggs.gnu.org ([208.118.235.92]:39076) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.72) (envelope-from ) id 1TogrW-0003yo-Ft for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:49:03 -0500 Received: from Debian-exim by eggs.gnu.org with spam-scanned (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1Togqb-0008A5-Ii for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:48:08 -0500 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.3.2 (2011-06-06) on eggs.gnu.org X-Spam-Level: ** X-Spam-Status: No, score=2.6 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_00,DEAR_SOMETHING, HTML_MESSAGE, RCVD_IN_DNSWL_NONE, RECEIVED_FROM_WINDOWS_HOST autolearn=no version=3.3.2 Received: from lists.gnu.org ([208.118.235.17]:54031) by eggs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1Togqb-0008A1-F6 for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:48:05 -0500 Received: from eggs.gnu.org ([208.118.235.92]:50432) by lists.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1TogqZ-0007CI-49 for bug-coreutils@gnu.org; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:48:05 -0500 Received: from Debian-exim by eggs.gnu.org with spam-scanned (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1TogqV-00089b-3w for bug-coreutils@gnu.org; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:48:03 -0500 Received: from snt0-omc3-s1.snt0.hotmail.com ([65.55.90.140]:34003) by eggs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1TogqU-00089S-V9 for bug-coreutils@gnu.org; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:47:59 -0500 Received: from SNT002-W167 ([65.55.90.137]) by snt0-omc3-s1.snt0.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.4675); Fri, 28 Dec 2012 12:27:57 -0800 X-EIP: [MfClTZXokGkgF3oVCulguz+OqYGlqysE] X-Originating-Email: [martynhare@lavabit.com] Message-ID: Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="_0aab4104-69d5-4413-babf-5b3c2c5e473c_" From: Martyn Hare Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2012 20:27:57 +0000 Importance: Normal MIME-Version: 1.0 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 28 Dec 2012 20:27:57.0469 (UTC) FILETIME=[D2B694D0:01CDE539] X-detected-operating-system: by eggs.gnu.org: Windows XP X-detected-operating-system: by eggs.gnu.org: GNU/Linux 2.6.x X-Received-From: 208.118.235.17 X-Spam-Score: -2.2 (--) X-Mailman-Approved-At: Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:26:32 -0500 X-BeenThere: debbugs-submit@debbugs.gnu.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.13 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Errors-To: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org X-Spam-Score: -2.2 (--) --_0aab4104-69d5-4413-babf-5b3c2c5e473c_ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Dear Sir/Madam=2C I think I've found a backwards-compatibility issue with tail. I know that = invoking tail without the -n argument when skipping lines (`tail +10 file.t= xt`) is bad syntax=2C but it needs to be supported for backwards-compatibil= ity. For example=2C the Unreal Tournament GOTY installer by Loki Games dep= ends on this style of syntax - and modern GNU tail breaks the script. I know that the GNU values software design quality deeply and in an ideal w= orld=2C everyone would use `tail -n +10 file.txt` style of syntax=2C but so= me older script-driven installers don't do this=2C and this problem impacts= less tech-savvy end-users (people who don't even know what tail is for!). Any chance you could allow the older "bad" way to use the command? Regards=2C Martyn P.S. Much love for all the hard work guys=2C I've not seen a single segfaul= t in any release version of a GNU tool. Ever. = --_0aab4104-69d5-4413-babf-5b3c2c5e473c_ Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Dear Sir/Madam=2C

I think= I've found a backwards-compatibility issue with tail. =3B I know that = invoking tail without the -n argument when skipping lines (`tail +10 file.t= xt`) is bad syntax=2C but it needs to be supported for backwards-compatibil= ity. =3B For example=2C the Unreal Tournament GOTY installer by Loki Ga= mes depends on this style of syntax - and modern GNU tail breaks the script= .

I know that the GNU values software design quality deeply and in a= n ideal world=2C everyone would use `tail -n +10 file.txt` style of syntax= =2C but some older script-driven installers don't do this=2C and this probl= em impacts less tech-savvy end-users (people who don't even know what tail = is for!).

Any chance you could allow the older "bad" way to use the = command?

Regards=2C

Martyn

P.S. Much love for all the = hard work guys=2C I've not seen a single segfault in any release version of= a GNU tool. Ever.
= --_0aab4104-69d5-4413-babf-5b3c2c5e473c_-- From unknown Tue Jun 17 22:27:56 2025 X-Loop: help-debbugs@gnu.org Subject: bug#13300: tail - backwards compatibility (tail +$line $filename) Resent-From: Bob Proulx Original-Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Resent-CC: bug-coreutils@gnu.org Resent-Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2012 23:47:02 +0000 Resent-Message-ID: Resent-Sender: help-debbugs@gnu.org X-GNU-PR-Message: followup 13300 X-GNU-PR-Package: coreutils X-GNU-PR-Keywords: To: Martyn Hare Cc: 13300@debbugs.gnu.org Received: via spool by 13300-submit@debbugs.gnu.org id=B13300.1356738420324 (code B ref 13300); Fri, 28 Dec 2012 23:47:02 +0000 Received: (at 13300) by debbugs.gnu.org; 28 Dec 2012 23:47:00 +0000 Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1]:35339 helo=debbugs.gnu.org) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.72) (envelope-from ) id 1Tojdj-000059-W3 for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:47:00 -0500 Received: from joseki.proulx.com ([216.17.153.58]:59653) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.72) (envelope-from ) id 1Tojdd-00004q-2x; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:46:54 -0500 Received: from dismay.proulx.com (dismay.proulx.com [172.27.61.4]) by joseki.proulx.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 005CA211D6; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:45:56 -0700 (MST) Received: by dismay.proulx.com (Postfix, from userid 1000) id 4E794D207DE; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:45:56 -0700 (MST) Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:45:56 -0700 From: Bob Proulx Message-ID: <20121228234556.GA4838@dismay.proulx.com> References: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline In-Reply-To: User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.20 (2009-06-14) X-Spam-Score: 0.8 (/) X-BeenThere: debbugs-submit@debbugs.gnu.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.13 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Errors-To: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org X-Spam-Score: 0.8 (/) tag -1 notabug close -1 thanks Martyn Hare wrote: > I think I've found a backwards-compatibility issue with tail. I > know that invoking tail without the -n argument when skipping lines > (`tail +10 file.txt`) is bad syntax, but it needs to be supported > for backwards-compatibility. > > Any chance you could allow the older "bad" way to use the command? Yes. Set _POSIX2_VERSION=199209 to obtain the previous behavior. > For example, the Unreal Tournament GOTY installer by Loki Games > depends on this style of syntax - and modern GNU tail breaks the > script. It is probably best to set the variable just for the installer. $ env _POSIX2_VERSION=199209 ./ut-installer This is one of those frequently asked questions which has an FAQ entry that talks about it in some detail: http://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/faq/coreutils-faq.html#Old-tail-plus-N-syntax-now-fails Also the topic is documented in the manual. The manual says this: For compatibility `tail' also supports an obsolete usage `tail -[COUNT][bcl][f] [FILE]', which is recognized only if it does not conflict with the usage described above. This obsolete form uses exactly one option and at most one file. In the option, COUNT is an optional decimal number optionally followed by a size letter (`b', `c', `l') to mean count by 512-byte blocks, bytes, or lines, optionally followed by `f' which has the same meaning as `-f'. On older systems, the leading `-' can be replaced by `+' in the obsolete option syntax with the same meaning as in counts, and obsolete usage overrides normal usage when the two conflict. This obsolete behavior can be enabled or disabled with the `_POSIX2_VERSION' environment variable (*note Standards conformance::). ... Newer versions of POSIX are occasionally incompatible with older versions. For example, older versions of POSIX required the command `sort +1' to sort based on the second and succeeding fields in each input line, but starting with POSIX 1003.1-2001 the same command is required to sort the file named `+1', and you must instead use the command `sort -k 2' to get the field-based sort. The GNU utilities normally conform to the version of POSIX that is standard for your system. To cause them to conform to a different version of POSIX, define the `_POSIX2_VERSION' environment variable to a value of the form YYYYMM specifying the year and month the standard was adopted. Two values are currently supported for `_POSIX2_VERSION': `199209' stands for POSIX 1003.2-1992, and `200112' stands for POSIX 1003.1-2001. For example, if you have a newer system but are running software that assumes an older version of POSIX and uses `sort +1' or `tail +10', you can work around any compatibility problems by setting `_POSIX2_VERSION=199209' in your environment. > P.S. Much love for all the hard work guys, I've not seen a single > segfault in any release version of a GNU tool. Ever. Yay! Thanks for the feedback. :-) Bob From debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Fri Dec 28 18:48:50 2012 Received: (at control) by debbugs.gnu.org; 28 Dec 2012 23:48:50 +0000 Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1]:35351 helo=debbugs.gnu.org) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.72) (envelope-from ) id 1TojfW-00008a-Gi for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:48:50 -0500 Received: from joseki.proulx.com ([216.17.153.58]:59668) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.72) (envelope-from ) id 1TojfV-00008T-1U for control@debbugs.gnu.org; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:48:49 -0500 Received: from hysteria.proulx.com (hysteria.proulx.com [192.168.230.119]) by joseki.proulx.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 6F724211D6 for ; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:47:53 -0700 (MST) Received: by hysteria.proulx.com (Postfix, from userid 1000) id 58A372DCD9; Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:47:53 -0700 (MST) Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:47:53 -0700 From: Bob Proulx To: control@debbugs.gnu.org Subject: tag and close Message-ID: <20121228234753.GB28325@hysteria.proulx.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.21 (2010-09-15) X-Spam-Score: 0.8 (/) X-Debbugs-Envelope-To: control X-BeenThere: debbugs-submit@debbugs.gnu.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.13 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Errors-To: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org X-Spam-Score: 0.8 (/) tag 13300 + notabug close 13300 thanks