GNU bug report logs - #66253
sort manpage should be more explicit

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Message #13 received at 66253 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Paul Eggert <eggert <at> cs.ucla.edu>
To: 66253 <at> debbugs.gnu.org, P <at> draigBrady.com, stolfi <at> ic.unicamp.br
Subject: Re: bug#66253: sort manpage should be more explicit
Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2023 18:11:12 -0700

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

On 9/28/23 04:22, Pádraig Brady wrote:
> 
>    -n, --numeric-sort          compare according to string numerical value.
>                                  leading blanks, negative sign, decimal 
> point,
>                                  and thousands separators are supported.

Although a valiant effort this is likely to cause other trouble, as it 
uses multiple terms (blanks, decimal point, thousands separator) without 
explanation, and it omits the role of the locale. I suggest instead that 
we simply say "see the manual", and tighten up the manual to explain 
these and, while we're at it, other things (e.g., -0 vs 0).

I gave that a shot by installing the attached.

PS to Jorge: Changing behavior as you suggested would likely cause 
trouble, as many programs depend on the current behavior, which is 
standardized by POSIX here:

https://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/9699919799/utilities/sort.html#tag_20_119_04

[0001-sort-improve-help.patch (text/x-patch, attachment)]

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