GNU bug report logs - #51311
[PATCH] echo: update --help to document edge cases

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

From: Florent Flament <contact <at> florentflament.com>
To: bug-coreutils <at> gnu.org
Cc: bob <at> proulx.com
Subject: [PATCH] echo: update --help to document edge cases
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2021 23:50:47 +0200

* src/echo.c (usage): Document edge cases when displaying arbitrary
strings with the echo command.
---
 src/echo.c | 8 ++++++++
 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+)

diff --git a/src/echo.c b/src/echo.c
index 18513398a..73b44660b 100644
--- a/src/echo.c
+++ b/src/echo.c
@@ -78,6 +78,14 @@ If -e is in effect, the following sequences are recognized:\n\
   fputs (_("\
   \\0NNN   byte with octal value NNN (1 to 3 digits)\n\
   \\xHH    byte with hexadecimal value HH (1 to 2 digits)\n\
+"), stdout);
+  fputs (_("\
+\n\
+NOTE: The echo command doesn't behave gracefully when displaying\n\
+arbitrary strings. For example, it can't display the string \"-n\" and\n\
+requires the STRICTLY_POSIX flag to display \"-e\" or \"-E\". Therefore,\n\
+if you need to display arbitrary strings please use the printf command\n\
+instead.\n\
 "), stdout);
   printf (USAGE_BUILTIN_WARNING, PROGRAM_NAME);
   emit_ancillary_info (PROGRAM_NAME);
-- 
2.25.1

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