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.Last update: 20 April,2001
1003.2-92 #92
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Interpretation Number: XXXX
Topic: ar
Relevant Sections: 6.1.1.6
Interpretation Request: (Defect Report)
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Date: Tue, 13 Dec 1994 16:49:51 -0500 (EST)
I would like to request an official, binding interpretation from the
IEEE concerning the following point in IEEE Std 1003.2-1992 (POSIX.2).
It is unclear what the exact behaviour is when a file is added to
an archive and only the -r option is specified in the ar utility.
First, Section 6.1.3, lines 55-57, page 662 states:
-v Give verbose output. When used with the option characters -d,
-r, or -x, write a detailed file-by-file description of the archive
creation and maintenance activity, as described in 6.1.6.1.
This seems to imply that when using the -x, -d and -r options, that the verbose
output is displayed only when -v is also specified.
This implication seems to be true since all the descriptions in Section 6.1.6.1
specify the use the "-v" option except for one, on line 118, which states:
If file is being added to the archive with the -r option, the standare
output format shall be ...
It seems odd that line 118 should be the only description in all of
Section 6.1.6.1 that does not specify the -v option.
Its unclear if the wording on line 114, which does specify the -v option,
should be continued to be used on line 118.
Further, except for line 118, section 6.1.6.1 has consistently described
historical behaviour.
I would like an interpretation stating that the format specified
on line 120 is only required when -r and -v are both specified.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
IEEE Interpretation for 1003.2-1992
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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
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None.
Forwarded to Interpretations group: 14 Dec 94
Response received: Feb 10 1995
Proposed Resoln forwarded: 13th Feb 1995
Finalised: March 28th 1995
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