${#parameter} confused by whitespaces

[Al Elgert]

Configuration Information [Automatically generated, do not change]:
Machine: i686
OS: linux-gnu
Compiler: gcc
Compilation CFLAGS:  -DPROGRAM='bash' -DCONF_HOSTTYPE='i686' 
-DCONF_OSTYPE='linux-gnu' -DCONF_MACHTYPE='i686-pc-linux-gnu' 
-DCONF_VENDOR='pc' -DSHELL -DHAVE_CONFIG_H  -I.  -I. -I./include -I./lib  -g -O2
uname output: Linux pc12 2.4.18 #2 Tue Jul 30 12:24:27 CEST 2002 i686 unknown 
unknown GNU/Linux
Machine Type: i686-pc-linux-gnu

Bash Version: 2.05b
Patch Level: 0
Release Status: release

Description:
        ${#parameter} does return the correct length, if there is 
        leading white space in $parameter.
        The Problem does not appear under Solaris8.
Repeat-By:

        Linux:

        0 pc12 ~>uname -a; echo $BASH_VERSION
        Linux pc12 2.4.18 #2 Tue Jul 30 12:24:27 CEST 2002 i686 unknown unknown 
GNU/Linux
        2.05b.0(1)-release
        0 pc12 ~>x="abc"; echo "${#x}"
        3
        0 pc12 ~>x=" abc"; echo "${#x}"
->      3
        0 pc12 ~>

        Solaris:

        Configuration Information [Automatically generated, do not change]:
        Machine: sparc
        OS: solaris2.8
        Compiler: gcc
        Compilation CFLAGS:  -DPROGRAM='bash' -DCONF_HOSTTYPE='sparc' 
-DCONF_OSTYPE='solaris2.8' -DCONF_MACHTYPE='sparc-sun-solaris2.8' 
-DCONF_VENDOR='sun' -DSHELL -DHAVE_CONFIG_H  -I.  -I. -I./include -I./lib  -g 
-O2
        uname output: SunOS ultra18 5.8 Generic_108528-13 sun4u sparc 
SUNW,Sun-Blade-1000
        Machine Type: sparc-sun-solaris2.8

        0 ultra18 ~>uname -a; echo $BASH_VERSION
        SunOS ultra18 5.8 Generic_108528-13 sun4u sparc SUNW,Sun-Blade-1000
        2.05b.0(1)-release
        0 ultra18 ~>x="abc"; echo "${#x}"
        3
        0 ultra18 ~>x=" abc"; echo "${#x}"
->      4
        0 ultra18 ~>

There are no $LC.. or $LANG Variables set.

greetings,
        Alexander Elgert
--
Alexander Elgert
Public Gruppe
RechnerBetriebsGruppe    TU Darmstadt  (FB 20)   Tel:  +49 06151 16-4333
                                                 Raum: S1/13 11a (alt 25/11a)

FAQ2: http://www.informatik.tu-darmstadt.de/RBG/service/FAQ2/