> here files are still useful because they don't use > memory proportional to their size, so you > can have a 100MB here file without worrying too much. > that's why they don't work in functions (byron's rc > converted a here file within a function into a "here string" > which basically amounted to {echo string | command} > but with the here file syntax; not much point in that, > save for regularity)
i don't find this to be a compelling argument. i have yet to see a 100MB here document. (i don't think a 100MB here document would be a problem for most.) in most cases, a large file can be moved outside the script anyway. bundles aren't used much anymore, but i wrote a bundle program for a shell without here documents but with the same quoting rules as rc. it worked well. - erik