URL: <https://savannah.gnu.org/bugs/?68791>
Summary: [troff] `rm` request stops processing arguments upon
encountering an invalid one
Group: GNU roff
Submitter: gbranden
Submitted: Sat 17 Oct 2026 11:05:40 PM UTC
Category: Formatter
Severity: 3 - Normal
Item Group: Incorrect behaviour
Status: In Progress
Privacy: Public
Assigned to: gbranden
Open/Closed: Open
Discussion Lock: Unlocked
Planned Release: None
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Follow-up Comments:
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Date: Sat 17 Oct 2026 11:05:40 PM UTC By: G. Branden Robinson <gbranden>
...contrary to our documentation.
_groff_diff_(7):
Solaris and Heirloom Doctools troffs’ rm and rr requests halt
argument processing upon encountering an invalid identifier. Those
of GNU, DWB, and Plan 9 from User Space troffs do not; they remove
objects named by any subsequent valid arguments.
Exhibit:
$ cat -v foo.roff
.ds a apples\"
.ds b bananas\"
.ds c cantaloupes\"
.rm a ^B b
a=\*[a] b=\*[b] c=\*[c]
.br
.pl \n[nl]u
$ nroff foo.diff
$ nroff foo.roff
troff:foo.roff:4: error: character code 2 is not allowed in an identifier
a= b=bananas c=cantaloupes
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