On Wed, 29 Oct 2003 16:36, you wrote: > Volker Kuhlmann wrote: > > If however you're trying to make a part for the kitset/toolbox, the > > following rules apply: > > > > * error output goes to stderr, so it doesn't end up with the data > > * input/output can come from/to stdin/stdout, or file(s) > > * the only way to give parameters to the program (e.g. to control/modify > > its behaviour) is via command line arguments > > * in some cases, environment variables can be used instead of command > > line arguments (e.g. language settings which should affect all bits in > > the kitset) > > * on exit, success is 0, and anything !=0 is an error code. > > > > These rules ensure that the program can easily be combined with the > > other bits already in the box. > > A good summary Volker, to which I will add the following (rather > obvious, which is why you probably omitted it) point: > > * descriptive man page > > Cheers, > Carl.
Thanks all for your comments, more thought obviously required. My objective was to create something quick and dirty. Clearly it won't win any prizes at a flower show. Cheers Ross Drummond
