On Fri, 22 Apr 2016 10:15:38 +0100
Dimitris Papastamos <sin_AT_2f30.org> wrote:
> Ok, so when you have (-a | -b) it means that flag choice
> is not optional.
>
> Can we avoid trying to express valid flag combos in a
> single line and instead use multiple usage lines? In
> some cases, like in hwclock it is not a major issue and
> this can be left as is.
>
> If people are in doubt they can refer to the manpage.
>
> My only concern is that this () pattern is not as
> wide-spread and confuses people.
>
> If others agree, we should sweep core existing core tools
> that use () and rework them.
I believe that () shall be used when and only when it is
easier to express it syntax (). For example
(-a | -b | -c) (-A | -B | -C)
rather than
-a -A
-a -B
-a -C
-b -A
-b -B
-b -C
-c -A
-c -B
-c -C
But
-a [-xyz]
-b [-XYZ]
-c [-ABC]
rather than
(-a [-xyz]) | (-b [-XYZ]) | (-c [-ABC])
Received on Fri Apr 22 2016 - 11:54:46 CEST