Compatibility with POSIX cat for files named "cache"

[muendelezaji]

First, thanks for this very useful utility. This is not really a bug at this point since it appears to be a design choice (#82), but thought it would be nice to get clarification on this.

bat treats files named cache (and previously, init-cache) as a subcommand and fails when it's the first argument. Granted this only happens when the file appears first AND is in the current directory, so probably not a big deal. But it does mean this just misses being a drop-in replacement for cat (esp. in non-interactive scenarios) and potentially breaks POSIX compliance (only - is a special filename). I see there's also talk on adding more subcommands on #23 which would depart further from compatibility.

In following on the project goals, is there any good way around this? Perhaps by using --cache-X or other approach.

Edit: Linking to POSIX compliance issue – #134

[sharkdp]

First, thanks for this very useful utility.

Thank you for your feedback!

bat treats files named cache (and previously, init-cache) as a subcommand and fails when it's the first argument. Granted this only happens when the file appears first AND is in the current directory, so probably not a big deal. But it does mean this just misses being a drop-in replacement for cat

You are absolutely right. I thought about it, but haven't opened a ticket.

I see there's also talk on adding more subcommands on #23 which would depart further from compatibility.

I don't think we plan on adding more subcommands at the moment.

In following on the project goals, is there any good way around this? Perhaps by using --cache-X or other approach.

--cache-X could be one option, yes. Another way to achieve this would be to have a separate utility to handle the cache generation (bat-cache). I think my favorite solution would be to check if cache is a file in the current directory and to just fall back to default behavior. Now there is only a problem if someone wants to use the bat cache subcommand in a folder with a file named cache 😄

[BK1603]

I would like to work on this one if no one else is working on it!

[BK1603]

Just a heads up, I am still working on it, I should be able to submit the PR in a day or two!

[sharkdp]

Closed by @BK1603 (#275).