awk

[Ed Nather]

[]
	From:            Bob English <lcc.bob at ucla-locus>

	If you change the behavior of a standard system utility, then you
	must be prepared to fix every program written before and after that
	uses the standard.  You could, of course, extend "awk" to provide
	the service you want (by adding an option, or changing the
	syntax), just make sure it's compatible with the rest of the
	world.  And be prepared for the screams of those who believe that
	no tool can ever be improved.

	Alternatively, you can make any changes you want without worrying
	about compatibility and call the result son_of_awk.

	--bob--

Too late.  Berkeley already "fixed" awk so it no longer runs many of the
tutorial's examples.  They didn't bother to re-write the tutorial, and they
didn't bother to change the name (to protect the innocent).  They just
call it "awk."

The "awk" distributed with USG System V still works as advertized.

-- 

                                       Ed Nather
                                       ihnp4!{ut-sally,kpno}!utastro!nather
                                       Astronomy Dept., U. of Texas, Austin