error invoking commands preceded by '\' from bash shell

[Larry Hall (Cygwin)]

On 3/22/2010 7:56 PM, csw wrote:
>
> When running bash under cygwin on Vista 64bit, I get different behavior if I
> precede a command with a '\'.
>
> For example, this works fine ($ is the bash prompt),
>
> $ 'C:\cygwin\bin/gcc.exe' -help
> Usage: gcc [options] file...
> Options:...
>
> However, this fails.
>
> $ 'C:\cygwin\bin\gcc.exe' --help
> bash: C:\cygwin\bin\gcc.exe: command not found
>
>
> The particular command does not seem to matter.  I used gcc here because it
> was the command I discovered this problem with.
>
> Does anyone know why it makes a difference if the last character before the
> command is a '/' or a '\'?

It doesn't matter where you put the '\'.

POSIX paths are strongly preferred.  And '/' is preferred to '\' as a path
separator.  If you want to avoid difficulties, use this information as
guidelines.  Otherwise, it may work or it may not.

-- 
Larry Hall                              http://www.rfk.com
RFK Partners, Inc.                      (508) 893-9779 - RFK Office
216 Dalton Rd.                          (508) 893-9889 - FAX
Holliston, MA 01746

_____________________________________________________________________

A: Yes.
> Q: Are you sure?
>> A: Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation.
>>> Q: Why is top posting annoying in email?

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