hang vol_ser=123456 file=mytape mode=read_write density=1600

[idallen at watmath.UUCP]

X
    Unlike your UNIX-like syntax, the given syntax needed no explanation.
      -me (IAN!)

    The VMS/MVS syntax needs an explanation too. One needs to explain
    why he or she is trying to hang something so gadawfully verbose
    and JCL-ish on top of UNIX.
      -Ian F. Darwin

I thought that was clear -- to make it easier for people to understand
what the option flags mean, by giving them word-names instead of letters.

Comments on command-language mnemonics from people using UNIX as their
life's work aren't very useful; anyone with that much exposure to the
system will always have the time and motivation to learn any command
names and any option flags.  The UNIX command language is obviously
suited to intensive users; but because they are intensive users, they
don't really care what the commands are called as long as it's not
"verbose".  My favourite idea -- let each letter of the alphabet stand
for a highly-used UNIX command name.  Now *that* would be in the UNIX
tradition: "p -laxwwt01", "n -T37 -ms -rd1 -o15", "u", "l -las", etc...

What seems silly, now that less intensive users have their hands on
UNIX, is that UNIX chose to give the commands and options themselves
names that are *abbreviations*.  (Though what "x" is an abbreviation
for in "ps -laxwwt01" isn't clear.)  Even if the newcomer can somehow
remember that s/he must REMOVE a UNIX file (and not DELETE it or ERASE
it), s/he has to remember that REMOVE is abbreviated RM.

My argument is simple -- when you first learn a system, you want to
remember the command and optiona names.  It's easier to remember words
than abbreviations.  When you find yourself using a command a lot, then
*and only then* do you want to abbreviate it.  No need to make people
remember abbreviations for names and options right away.

And if you do use full words in names and options, you seldom have to
look past the first few lines in the MAN page to see which option you
want, because the options are spelled out and give a hint to their meaning:

    Syntax:
	process_status (ps) [ option... ] [ process_id... ]
    Options:
	+All +Verbose Tty=xx +Wide +Userids +Running +Notty

instead of (and I quote):

	ps [ acegklrstuvwx# ]
-- 
        -IAN!  (Ian! D. Allen)      University of Waterloo