What version of "column" does ubuntu-20.04 use?

[bewuethr]

I was wondering which version of the column tool the ubuntu-20.04 environment includes. My personal Ubuntu machine (using 20.10) has column from the util-linux package, and since that package is marked "essential", I was assuming it's installed without being mentioned in the "installed apt packages".

However, it seems that the column that is installed is a more minimal version; trying to use long options with -- resulted in just an error message with the usage hint:

column: invalid option -- '-'
usage: column [-txne] [-c columns] [-s sep] [file ...]

So, what version of column is included in the ubuntu-20.04 environment?

[miketimofeev]

Hi @bewuethr!
The version that is included in bsdmainutils http://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/focal/man1/column.1.html

[bewuethr]

Thanks, @miketimofeev! Is it an oversight then that bsdmainutils isn't listed under "Installed apt packages", or is it part of 20.04 "out of the box"?

[miketimofeev]

yes, looks like it's a part of the distribution because I can't find any entry about it in the image generation log

[bewuethr]

And (last question, promise) why isn't it the column from util-linux then? Is that a 20.04 vs. 20.10 difference?

[miketimofeev]

Indeed — judging by this page column in 20.10 is from bsdextrautils http://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/groovy/man1/column.1.html

[bewuethr]

Makes sense, thanks! 🎉

[samus-aran]

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