Re: Feature Request: Add -a Option to mkdir for Single-Directory Names with Custom Formatting

[Pádraig Brady]

On 14/01/2025 04:05, Ranuga D wrote:
> Dear Coreutils Team,
>
> I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to propose a feature
> enhancement for the mkdir command. This enhancement introduces a new -a
> option for handling single-directory names with spaces or special
> formatting.
> Proposed Functionality
>
>     1.
>
>     *Handling Spaces*: Create directories with spaces in their names without
>     requiring manual quoting or escaping.
>     Example:
>
>     mkdir "this is a single directory file name" -a
>
>     *Expected Result*: A directory named this is a single directory file name
>     is created.
>     2.
>
>     *Replacing Spaces with Underscores*: Introduce an additional option (
>     --convert-underscores) to replace spaces with underscores in directory
>     names.
>     Example:
>
>     mkdir "this is a single directory file name" -a --convert-underscores
>
>     *Expected Result*: A directory named this_is_a_single_directory_file_name
>     is created.
>
> Rationale
>
> Currently, users must manually quote or escape directory names with spaces
> or special characters, which can be inconvenient. This proposed feature
> would:
>
>     - Simplify directory creation workflows.
>     - Improve usability for both interactive use and script-based
>     environments.
>     - Enhance compatibility with systems or workflows where spaces in names
>     can cause issues.
>
> Benefits of the Feature
>
>     - Streamlines directory creation for names with spaces or special
>     characters.
>     - Reduces potential errors caused by unescaped characters.
>     - Provides additional flexibility for users managing directory names
>     programmatically.
>
> Thank you for considering this feature request. I believe it could
> significantly enhance the usability of the mkdir command. Please let me
> know if additional information or clarification is required.

I don't think this is appropriate for a few reasons:

This would be applicable to any tool, not just mkdir.
So it wouldn't be appropriate to add these options to all tools.

--convert-underscores etc. is too specific. Would you also have 
--convert-hyphens.
As it stands you have the wealth of conversion utilities available in the
existing unix toolset, which can be applied with quoting etc.

cheers,
Pádraig