Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site utastro.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!seismo!ut-sally!utastro!nather From: nather@utastro.UUCP (Ed Nather) Newsgroups: net.unix-wizards Subject: Re: awk Message-ID: <46@utastro.UUCP> Date: Thu, 15-Mar-84 18:50:58 EST Article-I.D.: utastro.46 Posted: Thu Mar 15 18:50:58 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 17-Mar-84 02:44:05 EST References: <17361@sri-arpa.UUCP> Organization: UTexas Astronomy Dept., Austin, Texas Lines: 28 [] From: Bob EnglishIf you change the behavior of a standard system utility, then you must be prepared to fix every program written before and after that uses the standard. You could, of course, extend "awk" to provide the service you want (by adding an option, or changing the syntax), just make sure it's compatible with the rest of the world. And be prepared for the screams of those who believe that no tool can ever be improved. Alternatively, you can make any changes you want without worrying about compatibility and call the result son_of_awk. --bob-- Too late. Berkeley already "fixed" awk so it no longer runs many of the tutorial's examples. They didn't bother to re-write the tutorial, and they didn't bother to change the name (to protect the innocent). They just call it "awk." The "awk" distributed with USG System V still works as advertized. -- Ed Nather ihnp4!{ut-sally,kpno}!utastro!nather Astronomy Dept., U. of Texas, Austin