Re: portability of 'printf' command

[Paul Eggert]

"Dr. David Kirkby" <address@hidden> writes:

> Solaris 7 lacks this, so one does not have to go back as far as you believe.

No, Solaris 7 has /usr/bin/printf.  If memory serves, it also has a
/bin/ksh that supports printf.  See, for example,
<http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/autoconf-patches/2006-12/msg00000.html>
and <http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/autoconf-patches/2006-12/msg00010.html>.

Also, Solaris 7 is pretty far back.  Sun stopped issuing patches for it
in August 2005, and dropped all support in August 2008; see
<http://www.sun.com/service/eosl/solaris/solaris_vintage_eol_5.2005.xml>.
>From the GNU project's point of view, there is not a strong argument for
supporting a non-free OS that is not supported by the commercial
supplier itself.

While we're on the subject, Sun stopped issuing patches for Solaris 8 in
April 2009, and will stop supporting it in April 2012.  The
corresponding dates for Solaris 9 are November 2011 and November 2014.
See <http://www.sun.com/software/solaris/releases.jsp>.