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Date:      Fri, 6 Dec 2013 22:59:20 -0700 (MST)
From:      Warren Block <wblock@wonkity.com>
To:        Eitan Adler <lists@eitanadler.com>
Cc:        Glen Barber <gjb@freebsd.org>, "freebsd-doc@freebsd.org" <freebsd-doc@freebsd.org>, Xin LI <delphij@freebsd.org>, "Ronald F. Guilmette" <rfg@tristatelogic.com>
Subject:   Re: docs/184550: bc -q option not documented in man page
Message-ID:  <alpine.BSF.2.00.1312062240090.58092@wonkity.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAF6rxgm7qqE5cd-ax7=LipUGJpSA19ZJeJ1%2B_ZqpCqCfMU_cPw@mail.gmail.com>
References:  <201312070107.rB717SAW015758@freefall.freebsd.org> <CAF6rxgk50a0gL7_O3t=iFM-XGjnwam07ZNkOOgsWV=Tu7OKDXQ@mail.gmail.com> <20131207021835.GK20078@glenbarber.us> <CAF6rxgm7qqE5cd-ax7=LipUGJpSA19ZJeJ1%2B_ZqpCqCfMU_cPw@mail.gmail.com>

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On Fri, 6 Dec 2013, Eitan Adler wrote:

> On Fri, Dec 6, 2013 at 9:18 PM, Glen Barber <gjb@freebsd.org> wrote:
>> On Fri, Dec 06, 2013 at 09:12:30PM -0500, Eitan Adler wrote:
>>> all options should be documented.  An undocumented option is a bug.
>>> If we don't want people using it we should document as such.
>>>
>>
>> It is documented.
>>
>>                 case 'q':
>>                         /* compatibility option */
>>                         break;
>
> Source code is not documentation.  It it surprising to hear that,
> especially on this list.

This is a bit puzzling.  If -q is secret somehow, let's take it out of 
the synopsis.  If it's real, it should be in the synopsis and 
description.

   -q	No-op, does nil, nothing, nada.  Emphatically not for
 	compatibility with GNU bc, but coincidentally allows scripts
 	from icky other platforms where -q does something to run without error.
 	May occasionally print "gravy-sucking pig-dog" or contain traces
 	of soy, nuts, eggs, titanium, and riboflavin, all part of a
 	really interesting alibi.



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