Re: 36-fyi-backname.patch

[Paul Eggert]

> From: Akim Demaille <address@hidden>
> Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 16:31:53 +0200
> 
> +# $BACKPATH
> +# &backname ($REL-DIR)
> +# --------------------
> +# If I `cd $REL-DIR', then to come back, I should `cd $BACKPATH'.
> +# For instance `src/foo' => `../..'.
> +# Works with non strictly increasing paths, i.e., `src/../lib' => `..'.

Sorry, I don't know what "non strictly increasing" means in this context.

I guess it goes without saying that $REL-DIR should not be an absolute
pathname, but shouldn't the comment mention that this macro won't work
in general if $REL-DIR goes through symbolic links?  Nor will it work
if at any point in a left-to-right traversal of $REL-DIR one
encounters more ".."s than ordinary filenames.  Finally, unless I'm
mistaken, the macro treats //* as /, and it removes any trailing /; if
so, this should be commented too.