a.out =?= executable

[Chris Steinbroner]

> > according to the as(1) man page, the default output is "a.out."
> > traditionally, as(1) produces a ".o"...
> > can someone please explain how and why as(1) has changed?
> 
> It hasn't.  as(1) has produced "a.out" by default since at least Fifth
> Edition, circa 1975, and probably from the beginning.  "as foo.s" gives
> "a.out", and always has.

it has been discovered that AT&T deviated from the "traditional" behaviour
and changed as(1) to produce "foo.o".  Sun and Berkeley versions retain
the old ways.