fspec.4 (2010 09)

f
fspec(4) fspec(4)
NAME
fspec - format specification in text files
DESCRIPTION
It is sometimes convenient to maintain text files on the
HP-UX system with non-standard tabs, (meaning
tabs that are not set at every eighth column). Generally, such files must be converted to a standard for-
mat − frequently by replacing all tabs with the appropriate number of spaces − before they can be pro-
cessed by
HP-UX system commands. A format specification occurring in the first line of a text file specifies
how tabs are to be expanded in the remainder of the file.
A format specification consists of a sequence of parameters separated by blanks and surrounded by the
brackets
<: and :>. Each parameter consists of a keyletter, possibly followed immediately by a value.
The following parameters are recognized:
ttabs The t parameter specifies tab settings for the file. The value of tabs must be one of
the following:
1. A list of column numbers separated by commas, indicating tabs set at the
specified columns;
2. A
- followed immediately by an integer n, indicating tabs at intervals of
n columns;
3. A
- followed by the name of a ‘‘canned’’ tab specification.
Standard tabs are specified by
t-8, or equivalently,
t1, 9, 17, 25, etc. Recognized
canned tabs are defined by the
tabs command (see tabs (1)).
ssize The s parameter specifies a maximum line size. The value of size must be an
integer. Size checking is performed after tabs have been expanded, but before the
margin is inserted at the beginning of the line.
mmargin The m parameter specifies a number of spaces to be inserted at the beginning of
each line. The value of margin must be an integer.
d The d parameter takes no value. Its presence indicates that the line containing the
format specification is to be deleted from the converted file.
e The e parameter takes no value. Its presence indicates that the current format is
to prevail only until another format specification is encountered in the file.
Default values (assumed for parameters not supplied) are
t-8 and m0. If the s parameter is not
specified, no size checking is performed. If the first line of a file does not contain a format specification,
the above defaults are assumed for the entire file. The following is an example of a line containing a for-
mat specification:
* <:t5,10,15 s72:> *
If a format specification can be disguised as a comment, it is not necessary to code the
d parameter.
Several
HP-UX system commands correctly interpret the format specification for a file. Among them is
ed, which can be used to convert files to a standard format acceptable to other HP-UX system commands.
SEE ALSO
ed(1), newform(1), tabs(1).
HP-UX 11i Version 3: September 2010 − 1 − Hewlett-Packard Company 1