James R. Van Zandt wrote: >> I propose the patch below, which adds the --to option as a synonym for >> --destination-directory, to the programs cp, ln, install, and mv. > > Pardon me - I should have written "--target-directory". But that is > actually my point - I find the current long option hard to remember. > > (No, I didn't mis-type it on purpose.) > > Kamil Dudka wrote: >> If you think the option --target-directory is too long, you can use >> --ta instead > > I'm not trying to reduce typing. If I just wanted to minimize typing, > I'd use "-t". (However, I'd first have to check the help printout to > see that it's not "-T" I wanted after all. Then check the info page, > because the "-T" description is so unhelpful. But that's a separate > issue.) No, "-t" and certainly the abbreviation "--ta" would likely > be used only by someone thoroughly familiar with the option set, who > no longer has to refer to the documentation. > > My proposal is aimed at someone less familiar with the option set, to > help him use that particular option the second time without having to > refer to the documentation again. > > After all, "--to" makes the command read almost like an English sentence.
Considering all the talk of "DEST" and "destination", I can see how the use of "target" in that option name can make it harder to remember. A new option might be worthwhile after all. However, --to=... might make someone think that the argument could be a non-directory. So how about --to-dir=..., which could still be abbreviated to --to. (I was tempted by --destdir, but that would impinge on the long-option namespace of --dereference)