[Mailman-Developers] usage() going to stderr

[David Champion]

* On 2002.10.21, in <2732E68C-E530-11D6-87E7-0003934516A8@plaidworks.com>,
*	"Chuq Von Rospach" <chuqui@plaidworks.com> wrote:
> >Most of the scripts in the bin/ directory send their usage() output to
> >sys.stderr.  Unfortunately, this makes it difficult to pipe the usage
> >output to a program such as more(1) (without redirecting stderr to
> >stdout).
> >
> >Thoughts?
> 
> that's standard programming. Feature, not bug.

My feeling on the topic, having seen many programs that swing each way,
is that usage() should go to stderr when it's caused by a usage error,
but stdout when it's requested via "-h", "-?", "--help", or whatever.
At least this keeps with the general rule of thumb that errors go to
stderr, and output requested by a user goes to stdout.

Not that I adhere to this reliably, myself. :/

-- 
 -D.                    We establised a fine coffee. What everybody can say
 Sun Project, APC/UCCO  TASTY! It's fresh, so-mild, with some special coffee's
 University of Chicago  bitter and sourtaste. "LET'S HAVE SUCH A COFFEE! NOW!"
 dgc@uchicago.edu       Please love CAFE MIAMI. Many thanks.