When entering a command, do arguments or options typically come first?

When entering a command, do arguments or options typically come first?

• Options 
• Arguments

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Answer: Options

When entering a command in most Command Line Interfaces (CLI), options typically come before arguments. This is a widely accepted convention to ensure clarity and proper parsing of commands.

Explanation

• Options (sometimes called flags or switches) modify the behavior of a command. They are usually prefixed with a dash (-) for single-letter options or double dashes (--) for long-form options.
  • Example: ls -l (-l is an option to display a detailed list of directory contents).
• Arguments specify what the command should act on, such as a file, directory, or other target.
  • Example: ls -l /home (/home is the argument, specifying the directory to list).

Order Example

Consider the cp (copy) command:

cp -r /source/directory /destination

• -r is the option, indicating recursive copying.
• /source/directory and /destination are arguments, specifying the source and destination.

Exceptions to the Rule

Some commands or tools allow arguments to precede options, but this is uncommon. It often depends on the specific CLI tool or program being used. For example, in some cases, positional arguments may appear first if the program explicitly requires them.

By default, adhering to the convention of placing options before arguments ensures compatibility and prevents errors when using CLI commands.