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Last update: 1997-05-20
9945-2-74 _____________________________________________________________________________ Topic: rm exit status Relevant Sections: 4.53 Defect Report: ----------------------- Date: Fri, 2 Sep 1994 13:16:36 -0700 From: Fred Zlotnick <[email protected]> I would like to an request official, binding interpretation from the WG15 concerning the following point in ISO/IEC 9945-2:1993 (POSIX.2). POSIX.2 Subclause 4.53 specifies the semantics of the "rm" utility. My question has to do with the correct behavior of "rm" when it is applied to an ordinary file that has no write permission, when standard input is a terminal. If file Foo has mode r--r--r-- (i.e., is not writeable), and the command rm Foo is issued, and the user, in response to a prompt asking if the file should be reomved, responds negatively, then what value should the exit status have? My reading of the standard (subclause 4.53.8) is that it should be nonzero. However, I note that existing practice on all the systems to which I have access is to exit with status zero under these circumstances. Was it the intent of the committee to change the semantics from existing practice? Thank you for your attention to this matter. Interpretation Response: ------------------------ The standard states the behaviour for rm, and conforming implementations must conform to this. However, concerns have been raised about this which are being referred to the sponsor. Rationale ------------- None. Forwarded to Interpretations group: 4 Sep 94 Proposed resolution sent for review: 19th Nov 94 Resolved: 10th Dec 94