GNU bug report logs - #21636
a question of the “wc” program

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Message #12 received at 21636-done <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Eric Blake <eblake <at> redhat.com>
To: JameDam <te <at> dam.moe>, 21636-done <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#21636: a question of the “wc” program
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2015 10:01:15 -0600

[Message part 1 (text/plain, inline)]

tag 21636 notabug
thanks

On 10/06/2015 04:49 AM, JameDam wrote:
> I have a file which is named *“-l”*, and I use the wc to count the file, 
> undesirably wc requested the standard input rather than my file *"-l"* ,although 
> I use it through the command
> */wc -lw -l/*

Try either of:

wc -lw -- -l
wc -lw ./-l

This is not a bug in wc.  Rather, it is a FAQ:
https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/faq/coreutils-faq.html#I-have-a-file-called-_002d_002dhelp_002e-How-do-I-remove-it_003f

And like most utilities, using an explicit -- to mark the end of
options, or spelling your file name with a leading ./ so that it can't
be confused with an option, will do the trick.

Therefore, I'm closing this as not a bug, although you should feel free
to add any further comments or questions to this thread.

-- 
Eric Blake   eblake redhat com    +1-919-301-3266
Libvirt virtualization library http://libvirt.org

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