The --file-size option is useful to immediately get the size of the (possibly preprocessed) file. However, it is also honored with the standard input while one may not want it in this case, because the whole content is not necessarily available (contrary to a file):
{ echo ab ; sleep 3 ; echo cd; } | less --file-size
takes 3 seconds to get ab displayed
So, for use with the LESS environment variable, either --file-size should be ignored with the standard input or there should be a separate option.
The
--file-sizeoption is useful to immediately get the size of the (possibly preprocessed) file. However, it is also honored with the standard input while one may not want it in this case, because the whole content is not necessarily available (contrary to a file):takes 3 seconds to get
abdisplayedSo, for use with the
LESSenvironment variable, either--file-sizeshould be ignored with the standard input or there should be a separate option.