WG15 Defect Report Ref: 9945-2-114
Topic: mailx default command


This is an approved interpretation of 9945-2:1993.

.

Last update: 1997-05-20


								9945-2-114

 _____________________________________________________________________________

	Topic:                  mailx default command
	Relevant Sections:      4.40.7

Defect Report:
-----------------------

	Date: Thu, 20 Apr 1995 16:11:50 -0700
	From: kdawson@jurassic-52.Eng.Sun.COM (ken dawson)
Dear Standards Board,

        I would like to request a formal interpretation on the following
issue concerning the mailx utility in POSIX.2.


In section 4.40.7, the Extended Description of the
mailx command, (P342, L6328-L6330), it says:

    Regular commands are of the form

       [command] [msglist] [argument...]

    If not command is specified in command mode, print shall be assumed...

While this language is clear, and corresponds well with the language in
the SVID (mailx(au_cmd, p 6-44)), the actual historical behavior of this
command should be expressed as follows:

    Regular commands are of the form

       [command] [msglist] [argument...]

    If not command is specified in command mode, next shall be assumed...

I believe that this variance from actual historic practice was not
intended.  The rationale for mailx seems to carefully point out the cases
where the standard differs from historic practice, but does not mention
this issue.


Interpretation response
------------------------
The standard states the behavior for the form of regular commands in mailx, 
and conforming implementations must conform to this.  However, concerns have 
been raised about this which are being referred to the sponsor.


Rationale:
None

Forwarded to Interpretations group: Apr 21 1995
Proposed resolution circulated: May 16th
Comments due: June 15th
Finalised: June 16th 1995