On: The -a to -z of Command-Line Options (2003)

[smhenderson]

I find in most modern tools whether or not -h or --help is implemented using them often yields at least a usage statement.

I'm sure it's just default "I don't recognize the option so here's how to use this tool" message but the result is the same.

There are exceptions of course, e.g. mysql uses -h for host so you just get an error message about requiring an argument. --help is implemented properly in this case though.

[mort96 → smhenderson]

I usually use `-h`, because it's shorter to type than `--help`. I find I encounter this kind of message way too frequently:

    wc: invalid option -- 'h'
    Try 'wc --help' for more information.

[smhenderson → mort96]

That is annoying, I actually prefer the behavior I described. If an argument is not recognized I just want a usage message so I can check my syntax quickly.