Re: Head -n argument position matters

Thanks for the report.
That's the expected behavior, because options like `-1'
are obsolete.  If you want to be able to put an option after
non-option arguments, you have to use the newer form: `-n 1'.

FYI, there is now another reason to switch away from using `head -N':
With the latest test release I get this:

  $ env _POSIX2_VERSION=200112 head -1
  head: `-1' option is obsolete; use `-n 1'
  Try `head --help' for more information.
  [Exit 1]

Of course, by default it doesn't fail or even issue a warning.
But the writing is on the wall...

Edward Avis <[email protected]> wrote:
> % head -1 foo
> This is the first line of foo.
> % head foo -1
> head: invalid option -- 1
> Try `head --help' for more information.
> % head --version
> head (textutils) 2.0.21