GNU bug report logs - #46060
Offer ls --limit=...

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From: help-debbugs <at> gnu.org (GNU bug Tracking System)
To: 積丹尼 Dan Jacobson <jidanni <at> jidanni.org>
Subject: bug#46060: closed (Re: bug#46060: Offer ls --limit=...)
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2021 06:49:02 +0000

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Your bug report

#46060: Offer ls --limit=...

which was filed against the coreutils package, has been closed.

The explanation is attached below, along with your original report.
If you require more details, please reply to 46060 <at> debbugs.gnu.org.

-- 
46060: http://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=46060
GNU Bug Tracking System
Contact help-debbugs <at> gnu.org with problems

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From: 積丹尼 Dan Jacobson <jidanni <at> jidanni.org>
To: Paul Eggert <eggert <at> cs.ucla.edu>
Cc: 46060-done <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#46060: Offer ls --limit=...
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:48:13 +0800

>>>>> "PE" == Paul Eggert <eggert <at> cs.ucla.edu> writes:
PE> That argument would apply to any program, no? "cat", "diff", "sh",
PE> "node",....

PE> Not sure why "ls" needs a convenience flag that would complicate the
PE> documentation and maintenance and be so rarely useful.

OK, then I'll close the bug then.

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From: 積丹尼 Dan Jacobson <jidanni <at> jidanni.org>
To: bug-coreutils <at> gnu.org
Subject: Offer ls --limit=...
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2021 05:13:17 +0800

I hereby propose "ls --limit=..."

$ ls --limit=1 # Would only print one result item:
A

You might say:
"Jacobson, just use "ls|sed q". Closed: Worksforme."

Ah, but I am talking about items, not lines:

$ ls
A  B  C  D
E  F  G  H
I  J  K  L
$ ls -C|sed 2q
A  B  C  D
E  F  G  H
$ ls -C --limit=2
A        B
$ ls    --limit=2
A        B

Indeed, directories might be huge. And any database command already has
a --limit option these days, and does not rely on a second program to
trim its output because it can't control itself. Indeed, on some remote
connections one would only want to launch one program, not two. Thanks.

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