Why does this happen? I get it once in a while when I try to do tab completion.

Normally, you would use a trailing backslash at the end of each line of a really long command. It sorta forces the cursor to "CF" to the next line.

Alternatively, the backslash can be used as an escape character.

What is the command that causes your problem?

Ahh, not to be rude, but why does what happen? -- Did part of your post get lost?

What happens is what is in my thread topic. I'll explain more. Whenever I use tab completion with certain commands, I get the message "grep: Trailing backslash". I don't remember what command it was that caused it to happen, but it has happened several times. Then I cannot complete the command, and I have to start over without using tab completion. Is there any way I can still use tab completion? What is CF. I was thinking carriage return, but that can't be right? I googled http://www.google.com/search?q=defin...ient=firefox-a and none of those definitions seem correct for the meaning that you meant.

Yeah, what is "CF"? (I do understand folding a logical line into 2 physical ones -- you're actually escaping the new-line -- but I don't understand the acronym.)


fakie_flip
What is the command that causes your problem? I assume it's to do w/ tab completion of the options for a particular command. For instance: In MEPIS, "apt-get i<tab>" magically becomes "apt-get install " (including the 2nd space).

I have never seen the "grep: Trailing backslash" error msg., but if you'll give an actual example, I'd like to try to duplicate your problem.

BTW, the controlling file (all 833 lines in MEPIS 6.0) is /etc/bash_completion, the problem may lie there.

It was probably a bad choice of phrase. I meant it as "carriage return".

Your description (folding a logical line into two physical ones) is way better than mine was. I haven't been getting much sleep lately because we have a newborn, so please forgive me.

That is also known by "CR", so I'd surmise you blended "CR" and "LF" (carriage return and line feed) .

All the best wishes for your family then and in particular for the youngest member .

You're probably right.
Thanks mate. She's our first. This lack of sleep business is taking a bit of getting used to, but her smile is makes it all worthwhile!

And now back to the topic at hand:

fakie_flip: I've found out that in order for grep to give that message, the \ has to be escaped first, eg: \\. I dunno if that helps, but it's something...

rkelsen,
Let me "pile on" w/ congratulations & sympathy for the sleep deprivation.
(Mine, i.e. my 1st, is expecting her 4th.)


& back on topic:
Just to be crystal clear, would that escaping be in /etc/bash_completion?

So you are going to become grandfather again by your first daughter's forth child? Or is it the forth child of your first wife?

My children are now 8 and 6 and the problems changed .