Difference between `CAT file` and VAR=|cat file ?

        Hi,

        If and how these two are different? Is the var=| depreciated now?

                var = `cat file`

                :0 hwic
                var=| cat file

        I don't care if the file exists or not, but is there any extra benefit
        if I would have done following instead?

                :0 hwic
                * ? test -r file
                var=| cat file

        jari