[abcde] Bug#136741: Bug#136741: abcde: Manpage not clear on variable syntax 136741@bugs.debian.org

[Robert Woodcock <rcw@debian.org>]

On Mon, Mar 04, 2002 at 09:46:02PM +1300, Andrew McMillan wrote:
> The man page for abcde isn't very clear on exactly how variables are
> to be specified within the configuration file.  An example would probably
> help...

The stock abcde.conf should be quite helpful here.

> I assume the first, but the man page should leave me confident.  Hopefully
> it isn't as difficult to guess as for /etc/gpm-syn.conf !

The definitive documentation for this is 'man sh', as abcde.conf is sourced
(executed as a series of commands) by the shell.

I'll make the documentation a little clearer in future releases.

Basically, it's

VARIABLE=value

Except when "value" needs to be quoted or otherwise interpreted. If other
variables within "value" are to be expanded upon reading the configuration
file, then double quotes should be used. If they are only supposed to be
expanded upon use (for example OUTPUTFORMAT) then single quotes must be
used.

All sh escaping/quoting rules apply.
-- 
Robert Woodcock - rcw@debian.org
"The nuclear bomb. Does that bother you? I just want you to think big."
	-- Nixon to Kissinger, April 25, 1972

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