Re: [TUHS] Systematic approach to command-line interfaces

Hello, I've recently started to implement a set of helper functions and procedures for parsing Unix-like command-line interfaces (i.e., POSIX + GNU-style long options, in this case) in Ada. While doing that, I learned that there is a better way to approach this problem – beyond using getopt(s) (which never really made sense to me) and having to write case statements in loops every time: Define a grammar, let a pre-built parser do the work, and have the parser provide the results to the program. Now, defining such a grammar requires a thoroughly systematic approach to the design of command-line interfaces. One problem with that is whether that grammar should allow for sub-commands. And that leads to the question of how task-specific tool sets should be designed. These seem to be a relatively new phenomenon in Unix-like systems that POSIX doesn't say anything about, as far as I can see. So, I've prepared a bit of a write-up, pondering on the pros and cons of two different ways of having task-specific tool sets (non-hierarchical command sets vs. sub-commands) that is available at https://www.msiism.org/files/doc/unix-like_command-line_interfaces.html I tend to think the sub-command approach is better. But I'm neither a UI nor a Unix expert and have no formal training in computer things. So, I thought this would be a good place to ask for comment (and get some historical perspective). This is all just my pro-hobbyist attempt to make some people's lives easier, especially mine. I mean, currently, the "Unix" command line is quite a zoo, and not in a positive sense. Also, the number of well-thought-out command-line interfaces doesn't seem to be a growing one. But I guess that could be changed by providing truly easy ways to make good interfaces. -- Michael