Unexpected behavior & Core dumps

[Michael S . Zick]

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 wolf686 2.4.20 #2 SMP Sat Apr 12 13:49:20 CDT 2003 i686 
unknown
Machine Type: i686-pc-linux-gnu

Bash Version: 2.05b
Patch Level: 0
Release Status: release
Configuration: --enable-static-link --without-gnu-malloc

Description:
        Multiple examples. Appears to be only a few problems.
        (1) After: unset IFS, IFS may not be redefined and initialized from
            a variable.  Define and initialize from a literal works.
        (2) Parser state error(s) demonstrated by:
                ${VarName- FuncInvoke} and ${VarName:- FuncInvoke} broke
                ${VarName+ FuncInvoke} and ${VarName:+ FuncInvoke} works
                ${SparseArray='Literal'} walks array expecting element to 
contain a command.
        (3) Everything else involves sparse arrays
                Inconsistant element counting;
                ${#SparseArray[@]} counts content and null-content elements
                ${SparseArray[@]:Digit:Digit} counts content elements only
        (4) Various and sundray core-dump constructs when used on sparse arrays.

Repeat-By:
        Commented script attached.  Demonstrates what works, what works in an
        unexpected way and what core dumps.
        Not demonstrated: "assert failure, trying to free an already freed..."
        Sorry, I lost track of what caused this more specific error message.
        Demo script also contains some wish-list items at appropriate places.

Fix:
        Section not included.
)<
Non-Mailing-List subscribed.
Mike

basics_reviewed.bash.bz2
Description: Bug Demo