the -r option

[Skaperen]

the touch command has 2 options to reference another file object: --reference and -r
the chmod and chown commands can reference another file object but they only have --reference to do that and not -r
anyone know why? is there a security issue?

[yetimon_64]

...
the chmod and chown commands can reference another file object but they only have --reference to do that and not -r
anyone know why? is there a security issue?

Most likely for safety reasons as chmod and chown both use "-R" for "recursive"; whereas touch has no recursive action option at all so it is safe to use "-r" for "reference".

If "-r" was used for "reference" with chown or chmod a simple accidental capitalization of "-r" to a "-R" could have a rather interesting/unexpected, possibly damaging, outcome. The recursive switch in some commands can at times have rather damaging consequences when used wrongly.

I have not read or heard of this as an explanation, I am only surmising this is the case. From my experience it is sort of obvious to me this would be why but I have not heard or seen elsewhere this situation explained, as a result you should await further advice from more experienced helpers here. There may be other explanations I am unaware of for this.

Regards, yeti.

[Skaperen]

that seems like a reasonable cause.