gbranden pushed a commit to branch master
in repository groff.
commit 1cc1389d76d92816e9c92edfd5cc4362a8dd0c5c
Author: G. Branden Robinson <[email protected]>
AuthorDate: Mon Aug 23 07:48:27 2021 +1000
groff(7): Update discussion of ±N argument form.
Attempt to be more precise.
---
man/groff.7.man | 38 +++++++++++++++++++++++---------------
1 file changed, 23 insertions(+), 15 deletions(-)
diff --git a/man/groff.7.man b/man/groff.7.man
index 17db2ad..7a58ec0 100644
--- a/man/groff.7.man
+++ b/man/groff.7.man
@@ -1240,39 +1240,47 @@ and
.I n
is a numerical expression that evaluates to an integer value.
.
+.
.TPx
.I N
-is an arbitrary numerical expression, signed or unsigned.
+is an optionally-signed numerical expression.
+.
.
.TPx
.I \[+-]N
-has three meanings depending on its sign, described below.
+has three meanings,
+depending on its sign.
.
.RE
.PD
.
.
.P
-If an expression defined as
+If a numeric expression presented as
.I \[+-]N
starts with a
.squoted_char +
-sign the resulting value of the expression is added to an already
-existing value inherent to the related request, e.g., adding to a
-number register.
-.
-If the expression starts with a
-.squoted_char -
-the value of the expression is subtracted from the request value.
-.
+sign,
+an increment in the amount of
+.RI of\~ N
+is applied to the value applicable to the request or escape sequence.
+.
+If it starts with a
+.squoted_char \-
+sign,
+a decrement of magnitude
+.I N
+is applied instead.
.
-.P
Without a sign,
.I N
-replaces the existing value directly.
+replaces any existing value.
+.
+To assign a negative number,
+either prefix the expression with a zero or enclose it with parentheses.
.
-To assign a negative number either prepend\~0 or enclose the negative
-number in parentheses.
+If a prior value does not exist,
+an increment or decrement is applied as if to\~0.
.
.
.\" ====================================================================
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