[bug-grep] Re: grep feature request: show column numbers

[Martin Pool]

On 14 Dec 2004, at 23:28, Stephane Chazelas wrote:

> On Tue, Dec 14, 2004 at 11:06:06PM +1100, Martin Pool wrote:
> [...] [about a request for a --column option]
> > I think this is a mistake; since it can be added so simply and is
> > generally useful I would add it in your place.
> [...]
>
> Martin,
>
> just curious, could you please provide an example where it may
> be useful? I actually never felt the need for such a kind of
> feature but there may be obvious cases I can't think of at the
> moment.

Simply what I originally said: running grep from under an editor or IDE 
and wishing to have the cursor placed on the match.  Some other greps 
do this, as do non-GNU compilers.

> (that question may be a variation on "tell us what you need, and
> we'll tell you how to do without it"...).

Yes, I realize I can write my own grep.

--
Martin