Re: [Groff] a calling interface for shell scripts in groff

[Ralph Corderoy]

Hi Bernd,

> > > Shell scripts run much faster and more compatible with the `ash'
> > > shell.
> > 
> > What do you mean by `more compatible'?
> 
> `ash' is the essence of all POSIX versions.  By using `ash' instead of
> vanilla `sh', you can be sure that your program will do what it is
> expected to.

Since we can't be certain ash exists we have to write portable sh
scripts anyway as Colin pointed out.  Besides, the ash man page suggests
it's POSIX plus a few Berkeley extensions.

> > IMHO, it isn't worth optimising this case as the gain is minute over
> > a typical day for a typical machine.
>
> For groffer, `ash' is more than twice faster than `bash', being the
> standard `/bin/sh' on most systems.

That's avoiding my point.  I've left it quoted in case you missed it :-)

Cheers,


Ralph.