Use of the information contained in this unapproved document is at your own risk.

Last update: 20 April,2001

								1003.2-92  #58

 _____________________________________________________________________________


	Interpretation Number:	XXXX
	Topic:			find time primaries
	Relevant Sections:	4.24.4


Interpretation Request: (Defect Report)
-----------------------
 SUBJECT:  IEEE Std 1003.2-1992 Interpretation Request: (Defect Report) find time primaries

 I request an interpretation of the meaning of the description of the find
 utility in IEEE Std 1003.2-1992 section 4.24.4 in the cases described below.

 The descriptions of the find utility's -atime n (P280, L4252-4257), -ctime n
 (P280, L4258-4263), and -mtime n (P281, L4291-4296) primaries work OK when the
 n option argument is not preceded by plus or minus sign.

 When the n option argument is preceded by a minus sign, the descriptions
 listed above along with the wording on P280, L4250 say that the appropriate
 time subtracted from the initialization time is less than n-1 to n multiples
 of 24 h.  Does this mean that the time is:  less than n-1 multiples of 24 h,
 less than n multiples of 24 h, or something else?

 When the n option argument is preceded by a plus sign, the descriptions listed
 above along with the wording on P280, L4248 say that the appropriate time
 subtracted from the initialization time is greater than n-1 to n multiples of
 24 h.  Does this mean that the time is:  greater than n-1 multiples of 24 h,
 greater than n multiples of 24 h, or something else?

 The rationale for this section in section E.4.24, P906-907, L6306-6316
 indicates that the intent was to document existing practice.  It looks like
 the standard lost clarity when it converted the concept of days to an n option
 argument using the same description for this concept as is used for the
 -links n and -size n[c].

                                        (Donald W. Cragun)

IEEE Interpretation for 1003.2-1992 
-----------------------------------



The standard is unclear on this issue, and no conformance distinction can
be made between alternative implementations based on this.  This is being 
referred to the sponsor.

Rationale for Interpretation:
-----------------------------
None.
 _____________________________________________________________________________