[TUHS] On computerese

[sjenkin at canb.auug.org.au]

Early on, here in Faraway Land, I was told Unix command naming rules were these:
however can’t recall seeing it written:

	2-7 chars - ie. short + reserved single chars for personal use
	lower case
	non-dictionary words - allowing 3rd party software a clear run

Of course, “sort” fails those rules :)

BSD didn’t use those rules (backup & restore).

For non touch typists, shorter commands & keywords are helpful.

> On 16 Sep 2024, at 05:21, Rik Farrow <rik at rikfarrow.com> wrote:
> 
> Was the brevity typical of Unix command names a function of the tiny disk and memory available? Or more a function of having a Teletype 33 for input? Of course, it could simply be that 'cat' is more convenient than 'catenate'...
> 
> Rik
> 

--
Steve Jenkin, IT Systems and Design 
0412 786 915 (+61 412 786 915)
PO Box 38, Kippax ACT 2615, AUSTRALIA

mailto:sjenkin at canb.auug.org.au http://members.tip.net.au/~sjenkin

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