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Re: Conffiles and Configuration files (again)



On Tue, 7 Apr 1998, Philip Hands wrote:

> OK, an example where it might make sense to have a non-configuration file, 
> listed as a conffile:
> 
>   A package includes a script (under /usr/bin say) that is commonly
>   customised by the local admin.
> 
> Mgetty's faxrunqd used to be like this, because it had the fax ports
> hardwired in the script.
> 
> I know this probably counts as a bug in itself, but if that is the standard 
> procedure for users of this package on other OS's, you can expect them to feel 
> free to hack the script on Debian too.  This is a reason to list it as a 
> conffile, so that if they do go ahead and edit a script, they get warned 
> before it is overwritten.
> 
> If the admin does not edit the script, they will never find out about it being 
> a conffile, but if they do, it will save them from a lot of wasted effort when 
> they upgrade.

No, this script should not be a conffile. Any customisation, such as fax
ports, should be read from a configuration file somewhere under /etc. If a
script in /usr/bin requires customisation by the sysadmin, this is a bug
in the script.

Remco


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