Re: regarding head/tail syntax

[Jim Meyering]

[I removed address@hidden from the Cc: list, since
 that list bounces mail from non-members]

address@hidden (Paul Jarc) wrote:
> Jim Meyering <address@hidden> wrote:
>> address@hidden (Paul Jarc) wrote:
>>> Given the significant number of complaints about this behavior, I
>>> think it would make sense to reject -1, etc., only if $POSIXLY_CORRECT
>>> is set.
> ...
>> These changes are in a different class, so I think it's best to
>> associate them with a different variable: $_POSIX2_VERSION.
>
> I don't think the spelling of the variable matters, but I think the
> default behavior when the variable is not set should be to accept the
> traditional options.

I have chosen the default to make these tools POSIX compliant,
at least when it comes to things other than --help and --version.

Besides, I think the current behavior is for the better -- at least
in the long run -- since they make the option syntax and semantics
more consistent across all tools, and as a result, the behavior is
more predictable for new users.