GNU bug report logs - #21236
printf version output not working

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Message #5 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Shawn Welch <swelch <at> saferack.com>
To: bug-coreutils <at> gnu.org
Subject: printf version output not working
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 09:40:39 -0400

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The printf man 1 page says that it has a --version switch to output version
but it fails and exits 1.

GNU coreutils 8.12.197-032bb
Linux crunchbang 3.2.0-4-686-pae #1 SMP Debian 3.2.57-3+deb7u1 i686
GNU/Linux

*Shawn M Welch*
Lead Web Programmer and Abas Integration Specialist

Lync: swelch <at> saferack.com
Office: 843.264.8096 x 1340
Cell: 843.817.9969
Email: swelch <at> saferack.com

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Message #8 received at 21236 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Assaf Gordon <assafgordon <at> gmail.com>
To: 21236 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Cc: swelch <at> saferack.com
Subject: Re: bug#21236: printf version output not working
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 17:06:12 +0000

tag 21236 notabug
close 21236
stop

Hello,

On Tue, Aug 11, 2015 at 09:40:39AM -0400, Shawn Welch wrote:
>The printf man 1 page says that it has a --version switch to output version
>but it fails and exits 1.

It is likely that you are seeing the shell's built in "printf" instead 
of coreutils' printf.

Test with the following:

    $ type printf
    printf is a shell builtin

Then compare:

    $ printf --version
    bash: printf: --: invalid option
    printf: usage: printf [-v var] format [arguments]

    $ env printf --version | head -n1
    printf (GNU coreutils) 8.23.170-02f67

To use the non built-in printf, use 'env' (or specify a full path such 
as /usr/bin/printf, though that is less portable).

regards,
 - assaf

Message #11 received at 21236 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Shawn Welch <swelch <at> saferack.com>
To: Assaf Gordon <assafgordon <at> gmail.com>
Cc: 21236 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#21236: printf version output not working
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:11:23 -0400

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You are correct.

Thank you!

*Shawn M Welch*
Lead Web Programmer and Abas Integration Specialist

Lync: swelch <at> saferack.com
Office: 843.264.8096 x 1340
Cell: 843.817.9969
Email: swelch <at> saferack.com

On Tue, Aug 11, 2015 at 1:06 PM, Assaf Gordon <assafgordon <at> gmail.com> wrote:

> tag 21236 notabug
> close 21236
> stop
>
> Hello,
>
> On Tue, Aug 11, 2015 at 09:40:39AM -0400, Shawn Welch wrote:
>
>> The printf man 1 page says that it has a --version switch to output
>> version
>> but it fails and exits 1.
>>
>
> It is likely that you are seeing the shell's built in "printf" instead of
> coreutils' printf.
>
> Test with the following:
>
>     $ type printf
>     printf is a shell builtin
>
> Then compare:
>
>     $ printf --version
>     bash: printf: --: invalid option
>     printf: usage: printf [-v var] format [arguments]
>
>     $ env printf --version | head -n1
>     printf (GNU coreutils) 8.23.170-02f67
>
> To use the non built-in printf, use 'env' (or specify a full path such as
> /usr/bin/printf, though that is less portable).
>
> regards,
>  - assaf
>

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