Re: Patch: make "!" a command unconditionally

[Fernando Nasser <fnasser at cygnus dot com>]

Andrew Cagney wrote:
> 
> Tom Tromey wrote:
> >
> > I'd like "!" to be an unconditional alias for "shell".
> > Here is a patch.
> >
> 
> >From memory this has been suggested before.  The problem pointed out
> last time was that you need to specify:
> 
>         ``!'' <space> <command>
> 
> I think there also may have been a debate over ``!'' as a shell escape
> vs ``!'' for history.
> (personally it didn't worry me).  Fernando?
> 

I think Tom could propose it on gdb@sourceware (as opposed to gdb-patches) as this is a change in behavior.  BTW, the
patch must also include a change to the user guide.

I like the "!" (I sometimes forgot and try a !ps) but without the elimination of the space I don't know if it is really
effective.

It also precludes its use for history, as AC pointed out.

On the other hand, what makes the ! even more interesting is that "sh" is ambiguous (can also be show), what forces us
to spell the thing (at least "she").  Making "sh" an explicit alias for shell may upset some people that may type "sh
<variable-name>" and get back a shell command error :-) 

I have mixed feelings about the thing but I would be willing to try, specially if Tom could find the time to work on the
space problem and mend the user guide.


-- 
Fernando Nasser
Red Hat - Toronto                       E-Mail:  fnasser@cygnus.com
2323 Yonge Street, Suite #300           Tel:  416-482-2661 ext. 311
Toronto, Ontario   M4P 2C9              Fax:  416-482-6299