Re: syntax of options in man1

Alejandro Colomar <[email protected]> Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:45:16 +0200

Newsgroups	org.kernel.vger.linux-man
Message-ID	<aljtsrJVLTN6qlxP@devuan>

[Added linux-man@]

Hi Doug,

On 2026-07-16T09:46:25-0400, Douglas McIlroy wrote:
> Here's a typical option heading (from tail(1))
>   *    -n, --lines=[+]NUM*
> 
> It is tempting to assume (incorrectly) that the short alternative is -n=4.
> As far as I can tell, the convention that "=" is part of only the long
> alternative is described nowhere.

Agree.  I've had that concern for a long time.

> I think the description belongs in intro(1).

Agree.

> Incidentally, the actual content of intro(1) is absurdly bloated and much
> of it is way off topic.

Agree.

I think there should be a separation between an introduction to the
entire system (maybe this could be intro(0)), and an introduction to the
first section of the manual (intro(1)).

What do you think?

Have a lovely day!
Alex

> Doug

-- 
<https://www.alejandro-colomar.es>

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