echo and -n versus \c

[Raymond DeGennaro II]

Howdy,

I was just working on a new server supposedly running the latest 
version of GNU/Linux and encounted a problem with 'echo'.

On every other *nix system I've used, both the built-in echo in 'sh' 
(I know there's variations and that's why the scripts I'm using use 
/bin/echo) and /bin/echo work like this:

RayD$ /bin/echo -n "blah"
blahRayD$

RayD$ /bin/echo "blah\c"
blahRayD$

On this "brand-new" linux box, they behave like this:

:/bin/echo -n "blah"
blah:

:/bin/echo "blah\c"
blah\c
:

Also, the man pages state that the '-e' option is default:

        Without -E, the following sequences are recognized and interpolated:

Not sure if this is a behavior change, error in the documentation, 
legitimate bug, or system admin error.


Here's what system info I have:

:!uname -a
Linux is-1.regis.edu 2.6.9-42.0.3.ELsmp #1 SMP Mon Sep 25 17:28:02 
EDT 2006 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux

:/bin/echo --version
echo (GNU coreutils) 5.2.1
Written by FIXME unknown.

Copyright (C) 2004 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.  There is NO
warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
:

Ray