#!/bin/sh -u
#  $0  [args ...]
# Count and character count the arguments, without blanks.
# -IAN!  idallen@ncf.ca

export PATH=/bin:/usr/bin
umask 022

# Remove both blanks and the trailing newline from the echo.
#
count=$(echo "$*" | tr -d ' \n' | wc -c)

# Bonus: set the plurals on the output line
#
s1=s ; test     "$#" -eq 1 && s1=''
s2=s ; test "$count" -eq 1 && s2=''

echo "Count: $# argument$s1 and $count non-blank character$s2."

# this script exits with status of last command