I use the simple rule:
- aliases take no arguments (or take arguments in a trivial way e.g.
"alias ls='ls --color-auto')
- functions take arguments
So, I'd stick to using an alias in the case you describe.
/M
On Sat, May 08, 2004 at 10:00:38PM -0400, alex wrote:
>I've been using the following to access MS Win 98 from
>Debian.
>
>alias win+='mount -t vfat /dev/hda1 /mnt/hda1; cd /mnt/hda1; ls
>-aF --color=auto' (This is located in /root/.bashrc)
>
>By simply typing 'win+' all of Win98 becomes accessible for
>copying, moving, or editing in either direction. I've even made
>a complete 4 GB backup of Win98 after executing 'win+' with
>this alias:
>
>alias bup='cp -afv /mnt/hda1/* /mnt/hdb1/ '
>
>(alias win-='cd; umount /mnt/hda1' is used to unmount)
>
>I've read that aliases should be limited to simpler
>commands such as:
> alias cd..='cd ..' or alias lsl='ls -l'
>and that aliases like my win+ should be structered as a function
>instead of an alias. I've tried the same command in function
>form and I don't see any difference.
>
>So what's the reason why compound commands should be in function
>form? I suspect that it might be because long commands tend to
>become word wrapped, they may not work but in function form,
>each line is short enough so word wrap doesn't occur. I had
>difficulty with some longer aliases until I discovered that word
>wrap has to be turned off.
>
>Is there some other reason to use functions instead of aliases
>for complex commands?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>--
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--
Magnus Therning (OpenPGP: 0xAB4DFBA4)
magnus@therning.org
http://magnus.therning.org/
The second oldest profession is book keeping.
-- Craig Burton
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