> Once upon a time, Jon Guyer was heard to say:
>
> } I may not use C very much but why not grab the output of a dir /ad ?
>
> If I had a dollar for every time I've seen someone use a 'system' call
> because they can't work out how to 'stat' a file, I'd be a rich man. C
> has a whole host of very useful and powerful functions that you can call
> instead of doing a system("/bin/ls"), but do people use them? Noooooooo.
>
Now now, it could be worse.
They could do system("ls") instead.
"Good morning, sir, and welcome. Would you like a smoking table or a
non-smoking?"
"Oh, smoking please."
"Certainly. This way, please"
The waiter turns, picks up a menu and strides off into user space.
He stops at a small table near the kitchen.
"Here you are, sir."
"Thanks. What are today's specials?"
"Well sir, today we have some lovely `ls` done whichever way you like."
"Great, well I'll have a lightly braised ls in a slightly setuid
system() sauce."
"Excellent choice, sir! In fact, I'm afraid that you choice is so
wonderful that we're going to have to move you over to one of those large
tables over by the windows."
"You mean, in the middle of that orgy?"
"Exactly sir. May I check your clothes in for you?"
Christofu.