POSIX Is Not a Shell
This article explains that POSIX is a specification rather than a specific program, leading to inconsistent behaviors across different shell implementations like bash and dash. It highlights that 'POSIX compliant' scripts often fail due to these underlying implementation differences.
Why it matters
Developers often rely on the assumption of shell portability, but this analysis demonstrates why cross-platform shell scripting remains inherently fragile.
When someone says "write it in POSIX shell for portability," they mean well.
Technical critique of software standards and implementation realities.
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