ietf-nntp DEBUG command x9x (was: 9xx)

[Clive D.W. Feather]

Chin Chee-Kai said:
>>>> Given a choice, I'll still go for the "-" continuation method
>>>> as this has been done, deployed and used extensively.
>>> 
>>> Unfortunately, it's not compatible with current practice.
>>> 
>>>     [C] MODE READER
>>>     [S] 200-hello sailor
>>> 
>>> is perfectly valid and complete, as is:
>>>     [C] LIST
>>>     [S] 215-here it comes
>>>     [S] 260-world.misc 123 125 y
>>>     [S] .
>>> 
>>> where 260-world is a private hierarchy.
> 
> If the examples above are sent to a "-"-knowledgeable client,
> they will hang the client,

In which case the client is broken.

> Why did you say "it's not compatible with current practice"?

Because the present NNTP spec says nothing about the fourth character. So
there's no reason it couldn't be a minus.

> So a "-" -knowledgeable server would send:
> 	[C]: MODE READER
> 	[S]: 200 Ok, posting is permitted

That wasn't my point. My point is that a client that sends "200-ok" is
conforming.

-- 
Clive D.W. Feather  | Work:  <clive at demon.net>   | Tel:  +44 20 8371 1138
Internet Expert     | Home:  <clive at davros.org>  | Fax:  +44 20 8371 1037
Demon Internet      | WWW: http://www.davros.org | DFax: +44 20 8371 4037
Thus plc            |                            | Mobile: +44 7973 377646