tbl(1) on Solnix vs Linux and the BSDs
On Solnix, tbl is the illumos tbl at /usr/bin/tbl, a table preprocessor for nroff or troff. Its only documented options are -me, -mm and -ms, which copy a macro package to the front of the output. The bundle's Linux tbl(1) text is empty, so a Linux comparison cannot be confirmed from it.
The manual pages
- Solnix: tbl(1) from
pkgs.solnix.illumos-world-man· illumos.org - Linux: tbl(1) groff-1.24.2
What Solnix runs
A default Solnix system runs the illumos tbl at /usr/bin/tbl. No other variants are shipped. The page is published in pkgs.solnix.illumos-world-man.
Differences
| Compared with | Topic | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Linux | macro-package options | Solnix tbl accepts -me, -mm and -ms, each copying that macro package to the front of the output. The bundle's Linux tbl(1) text is empty and lists no options, so it cannot confirm whether Linux accepts these flags.Source: Solnix tbl(1) SYNOPSIS and OPTIONS (-me, -mm, -ms); Linux tbl(1) section empty in the bundle |
| Linux | Linux page content unavailable | The extracted option list for Linux tbl is empty. No Linux behaviour, defaults or environment variables can be stated from this bundle. Check the groff tbl(1) page on the target system before relying on any Solnix-specific option. Source: Bundle header (linux tbl option flags blank); LINUX section of the bundle |
| FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD | no BSD counterpart in the bundle | The bundle includes no FreeBSD, OpenBSD or NetBSD tbl(1) page. The manual text provided does not say whether those systems ship tbl or what options it takes. Source: Bundle header (only a linux counterpart listed) |
| all four | input handling and filter use | Solnix tbl copies input files to standard output and reformats only the lines between .TS and .TE. With no file arguments it reads standard input, so it works as a filter. Source: Solnix tbl(1) DESCRIPTION |
| all four | pipeline order with eqn | The Solnix page says that when tbl is used with eqn(1) or neqn, tbl should come first in the pipeline, to minimize the data passed through pipes. Source: Solnix tbl(1) DESCRIPTION |
Standards
- POSIX: tbl is not a POSIX.1-2024 utility.
Writing portable scripts
- Do not use
-me,-mmor-msin portable scripts. Only the Solnix page documents them in this bundle. Put the macro package on the nroff or troff command line instead. - Run tbl first in the pipeline, before eqn or neqn, as the Solnix page recommends: tbl file | eqn | nroff.
Every difference here is taken from the manual pages linked above: Solnix's published page, Linux (man-pages and the GNU and util-linux manuals), FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD. Each row names its source. Where a manual is silent, this page is too. Compiled 2026-10-26. Found a mistake? Mail hackers@lists.solnix.io.