info(1) on Solnix vs Linux and the BSDs
info is not in the base Solnix system: install pkgs.solnix.texinfo to get the GNU texinfo 7.1 info reader. Its option set differs from the OpenBSD and NetBSD info(1): -k replaces --apropos as the short form, -a, -v and --variable are new, and --dribble, --restore, --vi-keys and -R/-O are not listed. The Linux counterpart in the bundle is an unrelated OpenSSL page.
The manual pages
- Solnix: info(1) from
pkgs.solnix.texinfo - Linux: info(1ssl) openssl-3.6.5
- OpenBSD: info(1) 8.0
- NetBSD: info(1) 11.0
What Solnix runs
Not installed by default: add pkgs.solnix.texinfo. The bundle shows no other variant on PATH. The Solnix page is GNU texinfo 7.1 (October 2023).
Differences
| Compared with | Topic | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Linux | counterpart page is a different program | The Linux page in the bundle named info(1ssl) is the OpenSSL 'info' subcommand, listed with other openssl commands and invoked as 'openssl cmd'. It is not an Info document reader. The bundle contains no Linux page for the reader. Source: Linux info(1ssl) NAME, SYNOPSIS, DESCRIPTION; Solnix info(1) NAME |
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | -k short option for apropos | Solnix has -k, --apropos=STRING. OpenBSD and NetBSD list only --apropos=STRING, with no -k.Source: Solnix info(1) -k, --apropos; OpenBSD info(1) --apropos; NetBSD info(1) --apropos |
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | -a, --all | Solnix has -a, --all to use all matching manuals. The OpenBSD and NetBSD pages list no such option.Source: Solnix info(1) -a, --all; OpenBSD info(1) OPTIONS; NetBSD info(1) OPTIONS |
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | -v, --variable | Solnix has -v, --variable VAR=VALUE to assign an Info variable. OpenBSD and NetBSD list no variable option, and their -v is not documented. Their --version has no short form on any of the three.Source: Solnix info(1) -v, --variable; OpenBSD info(1) OPTIONS; NetBSD info(1) OPTIONS |
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | keystroke recording and replay | OpenBSD and NetBSD have --dribble=FILENAME (record keystrokes) and --restore=FILENAME (read initial keystrokes). The Solnix page lists neither.Source: OpenBSD info(1) --dribble, --restore; NetBSD info(1) --dribble, --restore; Solnix info(1) options |
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | vi-like keys | OpenBSD and NetBSD document --vi-keys for vi-like and less-like key bindings. The Solnix page lists no such option; it only says to type H within Info for key bindings.Source: OpenBSD info(1) --vi-keys; NetBSD info(1) --vi-keys; Solnix info(1) DESCRIPTION |
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | raw escapes and -O | OpenBSD and NetBSD document -R/--raw-escapes (default), --no-raw-escapes, and -O/--show-options/--usage to jump to the command-line options node. The Solnix page lists none of these.Source: OpenBSD info(1) -R, --no-raw-escapes, -O; NetBSD info(1) -R, --no-raw-escapes, -O; Solnix info(1) options |
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | -f argument name | Solnix -f, --file takes MANUAL. OpenBSD and NetBSD -f, --file take FILENAME and say 'Info file'. The Solnix wording refers to a manual, not a file name; the page does not say more.Source: Solnix info(1) -f, --file=MANUAL; OpenBSD info(1) -f; NetBSD info(1) -f |
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | documentation pointer | Solnix ends with a SEE ALSO saying the full manual is a Texinfo manual, read with 'info info'. The OpenBSD and NetBSD pages in the bundle have no SEE ALSO section. Source: Solnix info(1) SEE ALSO; OpenBSD info(1); NetBSD info(1) |
Standards
- POSIX: info is not a POSIX.1-2024 utility.
Writing portable scripts
- Do not assume info exists on a default Solnix system. Install pkgs.solnix.texinfo first, or use man pages in scripts.
- For scripts, use only options all three share:
-d,-f,-n,-o,-w,-h,--subnodes,--index-searchand--version. Avoid-k,-a,-v,-R,-Oand--vi-keys.
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.