Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!hplabs!hp-pcd!hpcvca!charles
From: charles@hpcvca.CV.HP.COM (Charles Brown)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.tech
Subject: Re: Argument lists (was Re: Symbolic Links and the AREXX: device)
Message-ID: <1410032@hpcvca.CV.HP.COM>
Date: 25 Sep 89 23:46:34 GMT
References: <53604@csvax1.cs.tcd.ie>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Corvallis, Oregon
Lines: 39

>> 	Actually, the feature *can* save you lots of disk space.  eg:
>> compress.  Compress, uncompress, and zcat all use enough of the same
>> code that they are designed to look at argv[0] and decide how to act.

>    The trouble with programs whose behavior depends on (a) the command
> line entry or (b) the filename is that they are a bit tricky for an
> environment that is as "uncontrolled" as the Amiga's.  There is too
> much risk of my wanting to have two different but closely related
> programs from different authors around at the same time with "naming"
> conflicts for me to be happy with behavior that depends on a
> hard-coded name.

This is why aliases should not change argv[0].  If the program does
check its identity (and whether you like it or not, several important
existing programs already do) it should get the appropriate answer.
If you want to call it by another name to keep it distinct in your
mind, then aliases are completely appropriate.  Of course the alias
can specify the full path, so the fact that both programs have the
same name is no problem.

> For example, there was a period earlier this year
> when I found myself wanting to have two different versions of
> "execute" handy.  If our concern is with redundant code in the
> "system", we should use libraries.
> --William F. Hammond                   Dept. of Mathematics & Statistics

This only addresses a fraction of the utility of links.  Links are
useful for ALL FILES, not just executables.  I can link font
directories from several places into a central repository.  I can link
several sets of libraries to make them accessible from one location.

Granted this could also be done by changing the OS to search a path
for L: LIBS: FONTS: DEVS: etc etc etc.  In fact I would also like to
see that done.  But I still want links.
--
	Charles Brown	charles@cv.hp.com or charles%hpcvca@hplabs.hp.com
			or hplabs!hpcvca!charles or "Hey you!"
	Not representing my employer.
	"You can lead a horticulture, but you can't make her think."