Re: Dotfiles

[Hendrik Boom <hendrik@topoi.pooq.com>]

On Thu, 04 Jul 2013 23:55:38 +0100, Chris Davies wrote:

> Slavko <linux@slavino.sk> wrote:
>> Dňa 02.07.2013 23:32 John Hasler wrote / napísal(a):
>>> Look at the access times. Dotfiles that have not been accessed in
>>> years can probably be safely removed.
> 
>> Sure, but do not forget, that the "relatime" (default one) and
>> "noatime" mount options are going into play, then the results can be
>> inappropriate.
> 
> A filesystem mounted with "relatime" is pretty safe, as for each file
> that's accessed, its access time is updated at least once a day. This
> from the mount manpage (wheezy) in the section for relatime:
> 
>     Access time is only updated if the previous access time was earlier
>     than the current modify or change time [...]
> 
>     Since Linux 2.6.30, the kernel defaults to the behavior provided by
>     this option [...]. In addition, since Linux 2.6.30, the file's last
>     access time is always updated if it is more than 1 day old.
> 
> Given the OP is looking for "really old" files that haven't been
> accessed,
> then the technique will still work on "relatime" filesystems.

Well, yes, "really old" is a guide.  But if it's a dotfile that belongs 
to a package I use, say, once every leap year, I'd still like to have it 
around.
 
> 
> A filesystem mounted with "noatime" can probably be switched to
> "relatime"
> with little or no disadvantageous effect.
> 
> Chris