A. Costa wrote:
> > No, it doesn't say that it concacenates lines...
> > ...I don't see what's so vague about "{combine} the lines in two files".
>
> "Combine" is a transitive verb, its object is the plural noun "lines".
> To "combine lines" implies, suggests, connotes, concatenation.
>
> Example citations, two of many, of this usage:
>
> "Combine lines of nroff output"
> http://www.stylusstudio.com/xsllist/200310/post71120.html
>
> "I ... need to know a proper sed command to combine lines..."
> http://www.codecomments.com/archive287-2005-11-692033.html"lines" is modified by the prepositional clause after it.. > > > combine (1) - combine two text files using boolean operations > > > combine (1) - combine text files using boolean operations > > > > This seems to imply that it's doing an operation like: > > > > file A OR file B > > That would be one operation, a singular action; 'operations' is a > plural series of actions. If we write (deliberate bad example): > > combine (1) - combine text files using a boolean operation > > ...that'd fit your interpretation better. > > Still, other users might miss that final 's'! Since there are multiple possible boolean operations, you don't need to miss the 's' for it to be confusing. > > > combine (1) - combine text files, line by line, using > > > boolean operations > > > combine (1) - combine text files using boolean operations on > > > lines > > > combine (1) - combine text files by line, using boolean > > > operations > > > > These are also wrong, since they over-stress the lines and imply an > > operation such as: > > > > for each line N: > > line N from file A OR line N from file B > > > > Which is also not what it's doing. > > I don't notice any specific algorithms being implied, but if you > read it that way, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. "line by line" implies processing something one line after another, which implies the above algorythm. > The reason to stress lines, is that lines are the indivisible atoms > of 'combine'. It doesn't compare words, letters, or paragraphs; only > lines. > > Maybe if we leave out the name; the verb 'combine' is > overextended when it refers to the 'not' operator. So: > > combine (1) - perform boolean operations on two text files, > print matching lines > combine (1) - print boolean matches of lines from two text files > combine (1) - print boolean matches of lines from two files I don't like any of these since "boolean match" is not accurate. -- see shy jo
signature.asc
Description: Digital signature
