"%_" is interpreted as an empty argument (zero length string)
and "%%" is interpreted as "%". In all other combinations "%" is
interpreted as normal character. For instance, the program "foo"
with arguments "" (empty string) and "50 %" could be specified
"foo %_ 50% %%".
(The example with "foo bar ba% z" can be dropped.)
The proposal in the existing drafts is:
...
For instance, the program foo with arguments "bar" and "ba z"
could be specified with the command-line "foo bar ba% z".
To enable passing empty arguments (zero length strings),
the first leading space is stripped from all arguments.
For instance, the program "foo" with arguments "" (empty string)
and " " (single space could be specified "foo % % % ".
(The current proposal does not define the meaning of
"%<any other char>".)
Due to the discussion about the quote character, I have written the
examples with "%" instead of "\".
Contras against old proposal:
- longer
- the solution for empty arguments has a side effect to
non-empty arguments which begin with a whitespace character.
Rolf Rabenseifner (Computer Center )
Rechenzentrum Universitaet Stuttgart (University of Stuttgart)
Allmandring 30 Phone: ++49 711 6855530
D-70550 Stuttgart 80 FAX: ++49 711 6787626
Germany rabenseifner@rus.uni-stuttgart.de