buck@nrl-css@sri-unix.UUCP (08/03/83)
From: Joe Buck <buck@nrl-css> The Regent 40 terminal, by ADDS (and other regents as well) have function keys that generate unprintable characters, followed by RETURN. So if you have appropriately named files, commands may be executed at the press of a button. We have a management information system here at NRL that exploits this feature (appropriate labels are attached to the terminals) which is based on the Mistress DBMS. It is used quite successfully by secretaries and managers with no computer experience. For this type of user, pressing a labeled button (which generates a menu for further choices) is more natural than typing a command line with options and parameters. If you are that concerned about your users making mistakes with funny filenames, you have several options: 1) Never give them a shell prompt. Let them only run debugged shell scripts. 2) Modify your ls to be like the Berkeley ls (if you already have it you have no argument at all, since nonprintables are printed by default as "?" and as \nnn if you give the "-b" option). I know; you're saying "What about people with binary licenses?" Personally, I'd rather modify ls than the kernel.