be to give a default value to a variable normally read from the command-line arguments, when no such arg... be to give a default value to a variable normally read from the command-line arguments, when no such arg... in Korn shell and bash -- and I find it easier to read (since I don't have to squint at me screen wonder... is huge. In contains a complete reference to the "readline" libraries and how to write a .inputrc file (