GNU bug report logs - #40904
listing multiple subdirectories places filenames in different columns between each subdirectory

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

From: Jim Clark <jim.clark.ubuntu <at> gmail.com>
To: Jim Clark <jim.clark.ubuntu <at> gmail.com>, bug-coreutils <at> gnu.org
Subject: listing multiple subdirectories places filenames in different columns
 between each subdirectory
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2020 07:36:59 -0700

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

Greetings,

When I list a hard drive "ls -AR > list.txt" and import it into Libreoffice
Calc, then break the lines using "text-to-columns", I am not able to
perform a fixed format break so that the filenames are placed in their own
column.

It seems like, when listing all subdirectories the largest file size within
the subdirectory places the filename at a column and all the other names in
that subdirectory are at the same column, but other subdirectories will
have their filenames at different columns depending on file size within
that subdirectory.

It would be nice if all the filenames were at the same column in the
directory and all subdirectories.

-- 
Thank you,

Jim Clark

[Message part 2 (text/html, inline)]

Message #8 received at 40904 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Paul Eggert <eggert <at> cs.ucla.edu>
To: Jim Clark <jim.clark.ubuntu <at> gmail.com>, 40904 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#40904: listing multiple subdirectories places filenames in
 different columns between each subdirectory
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2020 09:53:05 -0700

On 4/27/20 7:36 AM, Jim Clark wrote:
> When I list a hard drive "ls -AR > list.txt" and import it into Libreoffice
> Calc, then break the lines using "text-to-columns", I am not able to
> perform a fixed format break so that the filenames are placed in their own
> column.

I can't reproduce the problem. All the file names start at the beginning of the
line. Quite possibly you're using an alias, so that your 'ls' is not the plain
vanilla 'ls'. At any rate, 'find' is probably a better tool for what you want to d.

Message #11 received at 40904 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Bob Proulx <bob <at> proulx.com>
To: Jim Clark <jim.clark.ubuntu <at> gmail.com>
Cc: 40904 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#40904: listing multiple subdirectories places filenames in
 different columns between each subdirectory
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 23:04:36 -0600

tag 40904 + notabug
close 40904
thanks

Jim Clark wrote:
> When I list a hard drive "ls -AR > list.txt" and import it into Libreoffice
> Calc, then break the lines using "text-to-columns", I am not able to
> perform a fixed format break so that the filenames are placed in their own
> column.
> 
> It seems like, when listing all subdirectories the largest file size within
> the subdirectory places the filename at a column and all the other names in
> that subdirectory are at the same column, but other subdirectories will
> have their filenames at different columns depending on file size within
> that subdirectory.

File size?  Your example used "ls -AR" which does not include the file
size.  Therefore I am going to close the ticket for the purpose of
accounting.  Since there is no bug here.

But please let further discussion follow.  The ticket can be reopened
or reassigned easily if that is determined.

> It would be nice if all the filenames were at the same column in the
> directory and all subdirectories.

If you are trying to use "ls -lAR" then each directory is listed
individually and what you are saying is true.  However that is the way
the GNU ls program is designed to work.  Each directory is listed
individually with column spacing applied to that directory.

As Paul recommended, it is likely better for you to use find instead.
Since you apparently want the long listing format then perhaps:

    find . -ls

That will produce a full recursive long listing all of the way down.
It will use a wide fixed spacing which is apparently what you want.

I am curious.  I can't imagine any reason to import a recursive file
listing into a spreadsheet...  What is the task goal you are trying to
do there?

Bob

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