parameters algorythm

I was wondering if anyone knew of an algorythm that works for command line arguments. Like in Linux you could have a program that is like

Code:

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ls -l -s -R

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or

Code:

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ls -lsR

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They can be combined or in any order. I always wondeered what the algorythm was I can't seem to write a small one myselft. When I right it, the program becomes huge just for the algorythm. This isn't homework just thought about righting a linux program. Plus I am not even out of High school so they don't even teach it. Thanx in advance

getopt() is your friend, if you have it. Look it up in man. Alternatively, there's source for it lying around on the web.

http://www.gnu.org/manual/glibc-2.2....de/Getopt.html