Re: [PATCH] arch: new program

[Paul Eggert]

Jim Meyering <address@hidden> writes:

> I suppose arch should not be used in new scripts, but that's just
> a gut feeling.  If so, documentation should make it clear.

I agree that the documentation should advise people to use uname and
to avoid arch.  'uname' is standardized, but 'arch' is not.  The Sun
documentation already advises people not to use 'arch'.

One other thing.  This implementation of 'arch' is incompatible with
Solaris.  Solaris 'arch' uses the following algorithm:

   If "uname -p" outputs "sun4", output "sun4"; otherwise output
   whatever "uname -m" returns.

Also, Solaris 'arch' accepts a "-k" option that causes "arch" to
behave just like "uname -m".

Also, Solaris 'arch' accepts an optional operand that causes it to
silently exit with status 0 if "arch" would have printed that operand,
1 otherwise.

I assume all this stuff is for historical reasons.  (But that's the
only reason we're adding 'arch', right?  :-)