From unknown Tue Aug 19 07:26:14 2025 X-Loop: help-debbugs@gnu.org Subject: bug#9497: join: suggestion for manpage/help enhacement Resent-From: Tomas Volka Original-Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Resent-To: owner@debbugs.gnu.org Resent-CC: bug-coreutils@gnu.org Resent-Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:02:02 +0000 Resent-Message-ID: Resent-Sender: help-debbugs@gnu.org X-GNU-PR-Message: report 9497 X-GNU-PR-Package: coreutils X-GNU-PR-Keywords: To: 9497@debbugs.gnu.org X-Debbugs-Original-To: bug-coreutils@gnu.org Received: via spool by submit@debbugs.gnu.org id=B.131595130013281 (code B ref -1); Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:02:02 +0000 Received: (at submit) by debbugs.gnu.org; 13 Sep 2011 22:01:40 +0000 Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1] helo=debbugs.gnu.org) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1R3b2x-0003S9-Kw for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:01:40 -0400 Received: from eggs.gnu.org ([140.186.70.92]) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1R3b1s-0003AL-0A for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:00:33 -0400 Received: from Debian-exim by eggs.gnu.org with spam-scanned (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1R3axW-0000YU-0O for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:56:02 -0400 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.3.1 (2010-03-16) on eggs.gnu.org X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-1.9 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_00 autolearn=unavailable version=3.3.1 Received: from lists.gnu.org ([140.186.70.17]:41583) by eggs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1R3axV-0000YQ-TX for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:56:01 -0400 Received: from eggs.gnu.org ([140.186.70.92]:47368) by lists.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1R3axU-0002TO-TW for bug-coreutils@gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:56:01 -0400 Received: from Debian-exim by eggs.gnu.org with spam-scanned (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1R3axT-0000Y1-W1 for bug-coreutils@gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:56:00 -0400 Received: from mxgw2.unicornuniverse.eu ([77.93.211.164]:49939) by eggs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1R3axT-0000XT-PR for bug-coreutils@gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:55:59 -0400 Received: from smtp.unicornuniverse.eu (smtp.unicornuniverse.eu [77.93.211.162]) by mxgw2.unicornuniverse.eu (Postfix) with ESMTP id 768F89C00E for ; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:55:42 +0200 (CEST) Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:55:40 +0200 From: Tomas Volka Message-ID: <20110913215540.GB2437@debian.pilsfree.czf> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.20 (2009-06-14) X-UNICORNUNIVERSE-MailScanner-Information: Please contact the ISP for more information X-UNICORNUNIVERSE-MailScanner-ID: 768F89C00E.A3C79 X-UNICORNUNIVERSE-MailScanner: Found to be clean X-UNICORNUNIVERSE-MailScanner-From: tomas.volka@unicorn.eu X-detected-operating-system: by eggs.gnu.org: GNU/Linux 2.6 (newer, 3) X-detected-operating-system: by eggs.gnu.org: GNU/Linux 2.6 (newer, 3) X-Received-From: 140.186.70.17 X-Spam-Score: -6.6 (------) X-Mailman-Approved-At: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:01:38 -0400 X-BeenThere: debbugs-submit@debbugs.gnu.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.11 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Errors-To: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org X-Spam-Score: -6.6 (------) Hi, i'm using join from time to time with varying parameters, but just recently, i've spent quite a long time discovering what's wrong with my command: ie.: join -a 1 foo bar Above outputs paired lines *AND* unpairable lines from foo, but it is not apparent from the --help output and manpage. join --help states: -a FILENUM print unpairable lines coming from file FILENUM, where FILENUM is 1 or 2, corresponding to FILE1 or FILE2 man join states: -a FILENUM print unpairable lines coming from file FILENUM, where FILENUM is 1 or 2, corresponding to FILE1 or FILE2 info join states: `-a FILE-NUMBER' Print a line for each unpairable line in file FILE-NUMBER (either `1' or `2'), in addition to the normal output. Thus i've spent quite some time figuring why is the 'normal output' showing up in my result, before i discovered the more detailed description in the info page (and used -v 1 parameter instead). I suggest to include this important fact in manpage and --help output. Regards, Tom From unknown Tue Aug 19 07:26:14 2025 X-Loop: help-debbugs@gnu.org Subject: bug#9497: join: suggestion for manpage/help enhacement Resent-From: Eric Blake Original-Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Resent-To: owner@debbugs.gnu.org Resent-CC: bug-coreutils@gnu.org Resent-Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:13:02 +0000 Resent-Message-ID: Resent-Sender: help-debbugs@gnu.org X-GNU-PR-Message: followup 9497 X-GNU-PR-Package: coreutils X-GNU-PR-Keywords: To: Tomas Volka Cc: 9497@debbugs.gnu.org Received: via spool by 9497-submit@debbugs.gnu.org id=B9497.131595197714240 (code B ref 9497); Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:13:02 +0000 Received: (at 9497) by debbugs.gnu.org; 13 Sep 2011 22:12:57 +0000 Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1] helo=debbugs.gnu.org) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1R3bDp-0003hZ-5w for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:12:56 -0400 Received: from mx1.redhat.com ([209.132.183.28]) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1R3bDj-0003hO-7K for 9497@debbugs.gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:12:51 -0400 Received: from int-mx09.intmail.prod.int.phx2.redhat.com (int-mx09.intmail.prod.int.phx2.redhat.com [10.5.11.22]) by mx1.redhat.com (8.14.4/8.14.4) with ESMTP id p8DM8HBL001842 (version=TLSv1/SSLv3 cipher=DHE-RSA-AES256-SHA bits=256 verify=OK); Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:08:17 -0400 Received: from [10.3.113.73] (ovpn-113-73.phx2.redhat.com [10.3.113.73]) by int-mx09.intmail.prod.int.phx2.redhat.com (8.14.4/8.14.4) with ESMTP id p8DM8GNw025092; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:08:16 -0400 Message-ID: <4E6FD450.80400@redhat.com> Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:08:16 -0600 From: Eric Blake Organization: Red Hat User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux x86_64; en-US; rv:1.9.2.20) Gecko/20110831 Fedora/3.1.12-2.fc14 Lightning/1.0b3pre Mnenhy/0.8.3 Thunderbird/3.1.12 MIME-Version: 1.0 References: <20110913215540.GB2437@debian.pilsfree.czf> In-Reply-To: <20110913215540.GB2437@debian.pilsfree.czf> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Scanned-By: MIMEDefang 2.68 on 10.5.11.22 X-Spam-Score: -10.3 (----------) X-BeenThere: debbugs-submit@debbugs.gnu.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.11 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Errors-To: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org X-Spam-Score: -10.3 (----------) On 09/13/2011 03:55 PM, Tomas Volka wrote: > Hi, > > i'm using join from time to time with varying parameters, > but just recently, i've spent quite a long time discovering > what's wrong with my command: > > ie.: join -a 1 foo bar > > Above outputs paired lines *AND* unpairable lines from foo, > but it is not apparent from the --help output and manpage. > > join --help states: > -a FILENUM print unpairable lines coming from file FILENUM, > where FILENUM is 1 or 2, corresponding to FILE1 or FILE2 Thanks for the report. We do have this line later for -v: -v FILENUM like -a FILENUM, but suppress joined output lines If you read both -a and -v, then you realize that -a does more output than -v. But I agree that this is confusing, and that we can do better. > > man join states: > -a FILENUM print unpairable lines coming from file FILENUM, > where FILENUM is 1 or 2, corresponding to FILE1 or FILE2 The man page is generated from --help output, so fixing one fixes the other. > > info join states: > `-a FILE-NUMBER' Print a line for each unpairable line in > file FILE-NUMBER (either `1' or `2'), in addition to the normal > output. Yes, this is more accurate, and matches the POSIX wording: http://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/9699919799/utilities/join.html "-a file_number Produce a line for each unpairable line in file file_number, where file_number is 1 or 2, in addition to the default output. If both -a1 and -a2 are specified, all unpairable lines shall be output. ... -v file_number Instead of the default output, produce a line only for each unpairable line in file_number, where file_number is 1 or 2. If both -v1 and -v2 are specified, all unpairable lines shall be output." > > Thus i've spent quite some time figuring why is the 'normal output' > showing up in my result, before i discovered the more detailed > description in the info page (and used -v 1 parameter instead). > > I suggest to include this important fact in manpage and --help output. How about the following patch, which adds "also", while maintaining line length by deleting the fluff word "coming"? From 31046b6d38ab49cb815c8f6c6bc4faf6bb596de6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Eric Blake Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:07:11 -0600 Subject: [PATCH] join: clarify -a behavior * src/join.c (usage): Mention that -a adds to the overall output, rather than replacing the default output. Suggested by Tomas Volka. --- src/join.c | 2 +- 1 files changed, 1 insertions(+), 1 deletions(-) diff --git a/src/join.c b/src/join.c index 694fb55..809eead 100644 --- a/src/join.c +++ b/src/join.c @@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ For each pair of input lines with identical join fields, write a line to\n\ standard output. The default join field is the first, delimited\n\ by whitespace. When FILE1 or FILE2 (not both) is -, read standard input.\n\ \n\ - -a FILENUM print unpairable lines coming from file FILENUM, where\n\ + -a FILENUM also print unpairable lines from file FILENUM, where\n\ FILENUM is 1 or 2, corresponding to FILE1 or FILE2\n\ -e EMPTY replace missing input fields with EMPTY\n\ "), stdout); -- 1.7.4.4 -- Eric Blake eblake@redhat.com +1-801-349-2682 Libvirt virtualization library http://libvirt.org From unknown Tue Aug 19 07:26:14 2025 X-Loop: help-debbugs@gnu.org Subject: bug#9497: join: suggestion for manpage/help enhacement Resent-From: Tomas Volka Original-Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Resent-To: owner@debbugs.gnu.org Resent-CC: bug-coreutils@gnu.org Resent-Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:54:02 +0000 Resent-Message-ID: Resent-Sender: help-debbugs@gnu.org X-GNU-PR-Message: followup 9497 X-GNU-PR-Package: coreutils X-GNU-PR-Keywords: To: Eric Blake Cc: 9497@debbugs.gnu.org Received: via spool by 9497-submit@debbugs.gnu.org id=B9497.131595439726848 (code B ref 9497); Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:54:02 +0000 Received: (at 9497) by debbugs.gnu.org; 13 Sep 2011 22:53:17 +0000 Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1] helo=debbugs.gnu.org) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1R3bqu-0006yz-SB for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:53:17 -0400 Received: from mxgw2.unicornuniverse.eu ([77.93.211.164]) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1R3bqn-0006yl-J1 for 9497@debbugs.gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:53:11 -0400 Received: from smtp.unicornuniverse.eu (smtp.unicornuniverse.eu [77.93.211.162]) by mxgw2.unicornuniverse.eu (Postfix) with ESMTP id 12C6A9C00E; Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:48:25 +0200 (CEST) Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:48:23 +0200 From: Tomas Volka Message-ID: <20110913224823.GC2437@debian.pilsfree.czf> References: <20110913215540.GB2437@debian.pilsfree.czf> <4E6FD450.80400@redhat.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Disposition: inline In-Reply-To: <4E6FD450.80400@redhat.com> User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.20 (2009-06-14) X-UNICORNUNIVERSE-MailScanner-Information: Please contact the ISP for more information X-UNICORNUNIVERSE-MailScanner-ID: 12C6A9C00E.AA4E5 X-UNICORNUNIVERSE-MailScanner: Found to be clean X-UNICORNUNIVERSE-MailScanner-From: tomas.volka@unicorn.eu X-Spam-Status: No Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable X-Spam-Score: -4.6 (----) X-BeenThere: debbugs-submit@debbugs.gnu.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.11 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Errors-To: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org X-Spam-Score: -3.9 (---) On =DAt 13-09-11 | 16:08, Eric Blake wrote: > If you read both -a and -v, then you realize that -a does more output=20 > than -v. But I agree that this is confusing, and that we can do better= . I agree. Most users will stop reading the manpage when they reach -a and will expect -v like behavior ( because they didn't reached the -v yet ).=20 > How about the following patch, which adds "also", while maintaining > line length by deleting the fluff word "coming"? >=20 > From 31046b6d38ab49cb815c8f6c6bc4faf6bb596de6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 > From: Eric Blake > Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:07:11 -0600 > Subject: [PATCH] join: clarify -a behavior >=20 > * src/join.c (usage): Mention that -a adds to the overall output, > rather than replacing the default output. > Suggested by Tomas Volka. > --- > src/join.c | 2 +- > 1 files changed, 1 insertions(+), 1 deletions(-) >=20 > diff --git a/src/join.c b/src/join.c > index 694fb55..809eead 100644 > --- a/src/join.c > +++ b/src/join.c > @@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ For each pair of input lines with identical join > fields, write a line to\n\ > standard output. The default join field is the first, delimited\n\ > by whitespace. When FILE1 or FILE2 (not both) is -, read standard > input.\n\ > \n\ > - -a FILENUM print unpairable lines coming from file > FILENUM, where\n\ > + -a FILENUM also print unpairable lines from file FILENUM, whe= re\n\ > FILENUM is 1 or 2, corresponding to FILE1 or > FILE2\n\ > -e EMPTY replace missing input fields with EMPTY\n\ > "), stdout); Yes, i think that the patch above is completely sufficient. Tom From unknown Tue Aug 19 07:26:14 2025 MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Mailer: MIME-tools 5.427 (Entity 5.427) X-Loop: help-debbugs@gnu.org From: help-debbugs@gnu.org (GNU bug Tracking System) To: Tomas Volka Subject: bug#9497: closed (Re: bug#9497: join: suggestion for manpage/help enhacement) Message-ID: References: <87y5xry4a0.fsf@rho.meyering.net> <20110913215540.GB2437@debian.pilsfree.czf> X-Gnu-PR-Message: they-closed 9497 X-Gnu-PR-Package: coreutils Reply-To: 9497@debbugs.gnu.org Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 07:30:03 +0000 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="----------=_1315985403-12136-1" This is a multi-part message in MIME format... ------------=_1315985403-12136-1 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Your bug report #9497: join: suggestion for manpage/help enhacement 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 9497@debbugs.gnu.org. --=20 9497: http://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=3D9497 GNU Bug Tracking System Contact help-debbugs@gnu.org with problems ------------=_1315985403-12136-1 Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Received: (at 9497-done) by debbugs.gnu.org; 14 Sep 2011 07:29:49 +0000 Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1] helo=debbugs.gnu.org) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1R3jum-000397-IS for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:29:48 -0400 Received: from mx1.redhat.com ([209.132.183.28]) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1R3juj-00038y-2p for 9497-done@debbugs.gnu.org; Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:29:46 -0400 Received: from int-mx09.intmail.prod.int.phx2.redhat.com (int-mx09.intmail.prod.int.phx2.redhat.com [10.5.11.22]) by mx1.redhat.com (8.14.4/8.14.4) with ESMTP id p8E7PDkp019741 (version=TLSv1/SSLv3 cipher=DHE-RSA-AES256-SHA bits=256 verify=OK); Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:25:13 -0400 Received: from mx.meyering.net (ovpn01.gateway.prod.ext.phx2.redhat.com [10.5.9.1]) by int-mx09.intmail.prod.int.phx2.redhat.com (8.14.4/8.14.4) with ESMTP id p8E7PB1I002812; Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:25:12 -0400 Received: from rho.meyering.net (localhost.localdomain [127.0.0.1]) by rho.meyering.net (Acme Bit-Twister) with ESMTP id 4B2E660019; Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:25:11 +0200 (CEST) From: Jim Meyering To: Eric Blake Subject: Re: bug#9497: join: suggestion for manpage/help enhacement In-Reply-To: <4E6FD450.80400@redhat.com> (Eric Blake's message of "Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:08:16 -0600") References: <20110913215540.GB2437@debian.pilsfree.czf> <4E6FD450.80400@redhat.com> Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:25:11 +0200 Message-ID: <87y5xry4a0.fsf@rho.meyering.net> Lines: 42 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain X-Scanned-By: MIMEDefang 2.68 on 10.5.11.22 X-Spam-Score: -10.5 (----------) X-Debbugs-Envelope-To: 9497-done Cc: Tomas Volka , 9497-done@debbugs.gnu.org X-BeenThere: debbugs-submit@debbugs.gnu.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.11 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Errors-To: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org X-Spam-Score: -10.5 (----------) Eric Blake wrote: ... > How about the following patch, which adds "also", while maintaining line length by deleting the fluff word "coming"? > > From 31046b6d38ab49cb815c8f6c6bc4faf6bb596de6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 > From: Eric Blake > Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:07:11 -0600 > Subject: [PATCH] join: clarify -a behavior Thank you both. Please change the one-line summary to start with "doc: " e.g., doc: improve description of join's -a option so that a naive categorization lists it as a documentation change rather than a join bug fix I've marked this as done. > * src/join.c (usage): Mention that -a adds to the overall output, > rather than replacing the default output. > Suggested by Tomas Volka. > --- > src/join.c | 2 +- > 1 files changed, 1 insertions(+), 1 deletions(-) > > diff --git a/src/join.c b/src/join.c > index 694fb55..809eead 100644 > --- a/src/join.c > +++ b/src/join.c > @@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ For each pair of input lines with identical join fields, write a line to\n\ > standard output. The default join field is the first, delimited\n\ > by whitespace. When FILE1 or FILE2 (not both) is -, read standard input.\n\ > \n\ > - -a FILENUM print unpairable lines coming from file FILENUM, where\n\ > + -a FILENUM also print unpairable lines from file FILENUM, where\n\ > FILENUM is 1 or 2, corresponding to FILE1 or FILE2\n\ > -e EMPTY replace missing input fields with EMPTY\n\ > "), stdout); > -- > 1.7.4.4 ------------=_1315985403-12136-1 Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Received: (at submit) by debbugs.gnu.org; 13 Sep 2011 22:01:40 +0000 Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1] helo=debbugs.gnu.org) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1R3b2x-0003S9-Kw for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:01:40 -0400 Received: from eggs.gnu.org ([140.186.70.92]) by debbugs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1R3b1s-0003AL-0A for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:00:33 -0400 Received: from Debian-exim by eggs.gnu.org with spam-scanned (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1R3axW-0000YU-0O for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:56:02 -0400 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.3.1 (2010-03-16) on eggs.gnu.org X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-1.9 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_00 autolearn=unavailable version=3.3.1 Received: from lists.gnu.org ([140.186.70.17]:41583) by eggs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1R3axV-0000YQ-TX for submit@debbugs.gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:56:01 -0400 Received: from eggs.gnu.org ([140.186.70.92]:47368) by lists.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1R3axU-0002TO-TW for bug-coreutils@gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:56:01 -0400 Received: from Debian-exim by eggs.gnu.org with spam-scanned (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1R3axT-0000Y1-W1 for bug-coreutils@gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:56:00 -0400 Received: from mxgw2.unicornuniverse.eu ([77.93.211.164]:49939) by eggs.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.71) (envelope-from ) id 1R3axT-0000XT-PR for bug-coreutils@gnu.org; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:55:59 -0400 Received: from smtp.unicornuniverse.eu (smtp.unicornuniverse.eu [77.93.211.162]) by mxgw2.unicornuniverse.eu (Postfix) with ESMTP id 768F89C00E for ; Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:55:42 +0200 (CEST) Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:55:40 +0200 From: Tomas Volka To: bug-coreutils@gnu.org Subject: join: suggestion for manpage/help enhacement Message-ID: <20110913215540.GB2437@debian.pilsfree.czf> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.20 (2009-06-14) X-UNICORNUNIVERSE-MailScanner-Information: Please contact the ISP for more information X-UNICORNUNIVERSE-MailScanner-ID: 768F89C00E.A3C79 X-UNICORNUNIVERSE-MailScanner: Found to be clean X-UNICORNUNIVERSE-MailScanner-From: tomas.volka@unicorn.eu X-detected-operating-system: by eggs.gnu.org: GNU/Linux 2.6 (newer, 3) X-detected-operating-system: by eggs.gnu.org: GNU/Linux 2.6 (newer, 3) X-Received-From: 140.186.70.17 X-Spam-Score: -6.6 (------) X-Debbugs-Envelope-To: submit X-Mailman-Approved-At: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:01:38 -0400 X-BeenThere: debbugs-submit@debbugs.gnu.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.11 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org Errors-To: debbugs-submit-bounces@debbugs.gnu.org X-Spam-Score: -6.6 (------) Hi, i'm using join from time to time with varying parameters, but just recently, i've spent quite a long time discovering what's wrong with my command: ie.: join -a 1 foo bar Above outputs paired lines *AND* unpairable lines from foo, but it is not apparent from the --help output and manpage. join --help states: -a FILENUM print unpairable lines coming from file FILENUM, where FILENUM is 1 or 2, corresponding to FILE1 or FILE2 man join states: -a FILENUM print unpairable lines coming from file FILENUM, where FILENUM is 1 or 2, corresponding to FILE1 or FILE2 info join states: `-a FILE-NUMBER' Print a line for each unpairable line in file FILE-NUMBER (either `1' or `2'), in addition to the normal output. Thus i've spent quite some time figuring why is the 'normal output' showing up in my result, before i discovered the more detailed description in the info page (and used -v 1 parameter instead). I suggest to include this important fact in manpage and --help output. Regards, Tom ------------=_1315985403-12136-1--