install-docs

hypothetical install-docs [options] source_directory destination_directory

source_directory
    The directory containing the documentation to be installed.

destination_directory
    The directory where the documentation will be installed (e.g., /usr/share/doc).

-m mode
    Sets the file permissions for the installed documentation. Usually expressed as an octal number (e.g., 644).

-o owner
    Sets the owner for the installed documentation files. (e.g., root).

-g group
    Sets the group for the installed documentation files. (e.g., root).

-z
    Compress documentation files (e.g., using gzip).

The `install-docs` command is not a standard, universally available Linux command. Its functionality typically exists as part of a larger software installation process managed by package managers (like `apt`, `yum`, `dnf`, `pacman`) or build systems (like `make`).

The core function of a hypothetical `install-docs` command would be to copy documentation files (manual pages, info pages, READMEs, HTML documentation) from the software's source or build directory to the appropriate system directories where they can be accessed by users via commands like `man`, `info`, or web browsers. The target directories would be determined by system conventions, often involving directories under `/usr/share/doc`, `/usr/share/man`, `/usr/info`, and `/usr/local/share/doc`.

A typical implementation would ensure that the documentation is installed correctly based on file type and structure, including potentially compressing or indexing the files for optimal usage. This command does not exist as a standalone executable. Usually, you will encounter it as part of an installation script, which means its exact behavior will vary widely depending on the software being installed.

Since `install-docs` is not a standard command, its syntax and behavior are specific to the software's installation script that uses it. It might be a shell script function, a part of a `Makefile`, or an internal command within a larger build system. Check the source code or build instructions of the software in question.

Instead of a dedicated `install-docs` command, common practices include using `install` command with appropriate options, or utilizing package manager functionality which install the documentation alongside the software package. Software developers may also bundle documentation files inside a package.

```makefile docs: mkdir -p $(DESTDIR)/usr/share/doc/$(PACKAGE) install -m 644 README $(DESTDIR)/usr/share/doc/$(PACKAGE) install -m 644 man/$(PACKAGE).1 $(DESTDIR)/usr/share/man/man1 ```
This snippet shows how documentation installation might be handled within a `Makefile`. It creates the necessary directories and uses the `install` command to copy the files with appropriate permissions.

The concept of installing documentation has always been a part of software installation procedures. Early systems often relied on manual copying of files. The desire for automated, standardized installation processes led to the development of tools like `make` and package managers. Therefore `install-docs` command might be included or designed by developers who need a specific solution for installing documentation files.

install(1), make(1), man(1), info(1)