factor(1) on Solnix vs Linux and the BSDs
On Solnix, factor is the illumos /usr/bin/factor. It takes at most one integer, no more than 10^14, and has no options. GNU factor on Linux takes any number of operands and has -h/--exponents. The bundle has no FreeBSD, OpenBSD or NetBSD factor page.
The manual pages
- Solnix: factor(1) from
pkgs.solnix.illumos-world-man· illumos.org - Linux: factor(1) coreutils-full-9.11
What Solnix runs
A default Solnix system runs the illumos factor at /usr/bin/factor, published in pkgs.solnix.illumos-world-man. No other variants are shipped. The only counterpart in the bundle is Linux (GNU coreutils). The BSD pages are not included, so this page makes no claims about them.
Differences
| Compared with | Topic | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Linux | upper limit | Solnix factor handles positive integers up to 10^14. The Linux page states no limit. A script that factors larger numbers works on Linux but is outside the documented range on Solnix. Source: Solnix factor(1) DESCRIPTION, OPERANDS; Linux factor(1) DESCRIPTION |
| Linux | number of operands | Solnix factor takes at most one integer argument: factor [integer]. Linux factor takes any number of NUMBER operands: factor [OPTION] [NUMBER]... Source: Solnix factor(1) SYNOPSIS; Linux factor(1) SYNOPSIS |
| Linux | options | Solnix factor documents no options. Linux has -h/--exponents, --help and --version. On Linux, -h means --exponents, not help. A script passing these flags fails on Solnix as far as the manual shows.Source: Solnix factor(1) SYNOPSIS; Linux factor(1) -h, --exponents, --help, --version |
| Linux | repeated factors | Solnix writes each prime factor the proper number of times and has no way to group them. Linux can print repeated factors as p^e (unless e is 1) with -h/--exponents.Source: Solnix factor(1) DESCRIPTION; Linux factor(1) -h, --exponents |
| Linux | stdin handling | With no argument, Solnix factor prompts for integers one at a time and exits on 0 or any non-numeric character. Linux reads numbers from standard input when none are given. Its page does not say what ends that loop or how bad input is handled. Source: Solnix factor(1) DESCRIPTION; Linux factor(1) DESCRIPTION |
| Linux | zero or non-numeric argument | Solnix factor with an argument of 0 or a non-numeric string writes 0 and exits. The Linux page does not describe this case. Source: Solnix factor(1) DESCRIPTION; Linux factor(1) DESCRIPTION |
| Linux | exit status | Solnix documents exit status 0 for success and 1 for an error. The Linux page has no EXIT STATUS section, so the manual does not say what it returns. Source: Solnix factor(1) EXIT STATUS; Linux factor(1) |
| Linux | run time | Solnix factor takes time proportional to sqrt(n), and reaches that worst case when n is prime or the square of a prime. The Linux page gives no performance information. Source: Solnix factor(1) DESCRIPTION; Linux factor(1) |
Standards
- POSIX: factor is not a POSIX.1-2024 utility.
Writing portable scripts
- Pass one integer per call and keep it at or below 10^14. Do not pass options, and do not rely on
-h/--exponents, which Solnix does not document. - Do not parse the output for p^e notation. Solnix writes repeated factors out in full, and this is the only form the Solnix page documents.
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.