# determine whether it's worthwhile to add a --line-length=N option to sort.
# Add the option and perform this test:
#
# Test method:
# ==============

n_bytes=10000000
time=/bin/time
for line_len in 80 200 400 800 3000; do

  echo "line length: $line_len"
  write-file-of-size --bytes=$n_bytes --line-length=$line_len > in

  # sort a file with $n-char lines using the default of N=30
  $time sort in > x

  # sort the same file with --line-length=$n
  SORT_INITIAL_LINE_LENGTH=`expr $line_len + 1` $time sort in > x

  echo
  # compare run times
done

# do this on at least SunOS, Linux, Solaris

# RESULTS:
# Solaris5.5.1, x86 dual PPro/200: none
# Linux 3.0.29 x86 P/100: 5-6% improvement for 80, 200, 400,
#     but 1-2% penalty for 800 and 3000