This is definitely a change that may break compatibility in some cases, but it's out of our control: POSIX decided, we just comply.
Just an idea that I don't expect you to adopt, but just to mention -- you could only institute the breaking change if POSIXLY_CORRECT. That's why POSIXLY_CORRECT exists. -k P.S. Is this related to Automake? If it is, as with Autoconf, there needs to be new volunteer effort to do what's needed. I can't take it on and unfortunately no one else has come forward.