Re: portability of 'printf' command

[Karl Berry]

Hi Harlan,

    >From my POV, as long as one can bootstrap to the point where there is a
    sufficient base of utilities, all is well.

I agree.

    "we can't get there from here".

As has been said: install (say) coreutils-8.4, which does not require
printf.  This gives you printf.  Then proceed.

I still believe this is an epsilon-probability event.  Like most people
here I've updated lots of machines running lots of versions over lots of
years, production and otherwise.  I still cannot fathom a case where
*new* source releases requiring a printf command would be a serious
problem.

k