View Issue Details

IDProjectCategoryView StatusLast Update
00004541003.1(2008)/Issue 7Shell and Utilitiespublic2013-04-16 13:06
Reportergeoffclare Assigned Toajosey  
PrioritynormalSeverityObjectionTypeError
Status ClosedResolutionAccepted 
NameGeoff Clare
OrganizationThe Open Group
User Reference
Sectionawk
Page Number2430
Line Number77089
Interp StatusApproved
Final Accepted Text0000454:0000836
Summary0000454: awk default FS
DescriptionThe awk DESCRIPTION section (3rd para) says:

    ... by default, a field is a string of non-<blank> characters.
    This default white-space field delimiter can ...

The uses of "<blank>" and "white-space" conflict.

In the part about FS behaviour the EXTENDED DESCRIPTION says (P2440):

    The default value of the FS variable shall be a single <space>.
    [...]
    If FS is <space>, skip leading and trailing <blank> characters;
    fields shall be delimited by sets of one or more <blank> characters

which seems to imply "white-space" is wrong in the first quote, but
existing practice is actually in-between the two: the default delimiters
are <blank> characters and <newline>.
Desired ActionChange:

    ... by default, a field is a string of non-<blank> characters.
    This default white-space field delimiter can ...

to:

    ... by default, a field is a string of non-<blank> non-<newline>
    characters. This default <blank> and <newline> field delimiter
    can ...

At page 2440 line 77519 change:

       a. If FS is <space>, skip leading and trailing <blank>
          characters; fields shall be delimited by sets of one or
          more <blank> characters.

to:

       a. If FS is <space>, skip leading and trailing <blank> and
          <newline> characters; fields shall be delimited by sets
          of one or more <blank> or <newline> characters.
Tagstc1-2008

Activities

msbrown

2011-06-15 15:06

manager   bugnote:0000836

Interpretation response
------------------------
The standard is unclear on this issue, and no conformance distinction can be made between alternative implementations based on this. This is being referred to the sponsor.

Rationale:
-------------
Existing practice differs from the text.

Notes to the Editor (not part of this interpretation):
-------------------------------------------------------
Make the changes suggested in the Desired Action.

ajosey

2011-06-16 10:18

manager   bugnote:0000855

Interpretation proposed 16 June 2011 for final 30 day review

ajosey

2011-07-29 06:12

manager   bugnote:0000897

The interpretation is now approved.

Issue History

Date Modified Username Field Change
2011-05-27 15:16 geoffclare New Issue
2011-05-27 15:16 geoffclare Status New => Under Review
2011-05-27 15:16 geoffclare Assigned To => ajosey
2011-05-27 15:16 geoffclare Name => Geoff Clare
2011-05-27 15:16 geoffclare Organization => The Open Group
2011-05-27 15:16 geoffclare Section => awk
2011-05-27 15:16 geoffclare Page Number => 2430
2011-05-27 15:16 geoffclare Line Number => 77089
2011-05-27 15:16 geoffclare Interp Status => ---
2011-06-15 15:06 msbrown Interp Status --- => Pending
2011-06-15 15:06 msbrown Note Added: 0000836
2011-06-15 15:06 msbrown Status Under Review => Interpretation Required
2011-06-15 15:06 msbrown Resolution Open => Accepted
2011-06-15 15:06 msbrown Description Updated
2011-06-15 15:06 msbrown Desired Action Updated
2011-06-15 15:07 msbrown Tag Attached: tc1-2008
2011-06-15 15:07 msbrown Final Accepted Text => 0000454:0000836
2011-06-16 10:18 ajosey Interp Status Pending => Proposed
2011-06-16 10:18 ajosey Note Added: 0000855
2011-07-29 06:12 ajosey Interp Status Proposed => Approved
2011-07-29 06:12 ajosey Note Added: 0000897
2013-04-16 13:06 ajosey Status Interpretation Required => Closed