Re: testing, testing
On Mon, Jul 12, 1999 at 06:07:33PM -0700, Brent Fulgham wrote:
> >
> > This might be the best way to get off the ground. I think
> > that the FBSD Linux-compat code is very well done. So far,
> > everything that has been in the FreeBSD port tree from
> > Linux has worked. Things like WordPerfect8 ...
> >
> Well, that's an excellent test. If something as heavyweight as WP8 works,
> then I doubt we'll see many problems. There might be some problems with
> utilities that work very "close to the metal".
>
> How is the Linux compatibility handled? Is there already a Libc ported
> to BSD, or does the kernel handle this somehow?
>
YEs, glibc (and any other required library) has been
integrated into the "linux-compat" package. I believe
in the newest FBSD, you set a flag in the kernel
config file or just type ``linux'', and you've got the
compatibility. This has been the main point raised
against having to install Linux to use a given port.
> > But as far as I know, no drivers have been ported. Because
> > the Linux kernel seems to be too different, nothing that
> > touches the Linux kernel has been attempted.
> >
> Does BSD have the concept of "kernel modules"? Does everything have to
> be statically compiled into the kernel?
>
Yep; as of v 3.0 FreeBSD has lkm's that are loadable
(dynamically??). I've just upgraded my second platform
from 2.X (a.out) to 3.2 (ELF). Still learning.
> > The beneficiaries would be the users. There is a GNU|Sys5-style
> > rc package for FBSD that lies largely unused because the FBSD
> > Core group didn't like it. I understand that there are sysadmin
> > packages for Linux that use a GUI (?) And I'm sure there are
> > many other GNU//Linux tools that would benefit the BSD side.
> > I'm sure this cross-pollination works the other way, of course.
> > Especially in the networking arena....
> >
> Yes -- as we become more familiar with BSD there might be interesting
> tools/features that would be ported in the other direction. I have to
> admit that I have always had a bit of a soft spot for BSD, being a fellow
> UC alum (although UCSB and UCLA, not Cal....)
>
Ah, a brother! ...Well, we're all kin, I think.
I'm sure there are other non-kernel and non-networking
features that shine on the BSD side. Can't think
of anything.
> >
> > This issue can nearly raise the dead to argue, fight, and
> > throw spitballs. My understanding is limited to thinking that
> > the Berkeley license is virtually 100% open. You've got to
> > keep the BSD license clause on every file that carries it,
> > but that is as far as my knowledge goes.
> >
> > I'm well into my third year of hacking a light-sound X11
> > ``mind-machine'' application. Alpha (or pre-alpha) release
> > is sometime late this fall. I'm going to use the GPL when
> > I publish this.
> >
> > In other words, I have nothing against the Copyleft.
> >
> And Debian has nothing against the BSD license. We just need to make
> sure that whatever we do doesn't violate the terms of one or the other
> license. In the case of Device drivers, I worry that there may be
> some GPL 'infection' of the kernel -- which might be another reason that
> Linux drivers have not been ported more quickly.
Yes, come to think of it, that's what the FBSD Core
folks say. I just heave a sigh and go on with my
life...
If *this* idea ever takes off, a DebianBSD version
wouldn't have these concerns. Pure BSD code would
continue its own license; likewise with pure GNU
code. Anything that was a combo would carry *both*
notifications and would really be GPL'd. Since the
Berkeley license seems so open I don't see how it
could be violated....but then, I'm not a lawyer.
>
> > I use my home systems mercilessly, am up always (I have
> > twin machines). In four years I've had exactly 3 crashed
> > that were probably kernel-related.
> >
> > If you don't need this much stability, then consider that
> > the networking code is flawless.
> >
> Can you comment on BSD scalability -- in terms of say multiprocessor
> use, etc.? I know that's an area in which Linux has had some rather
> public "error reports" lately ;-) (Mindcraft Survey anyone?)
>
Sorry, the multiprocessor code is a black hole to me.
Best thing would be a note to the questions@freebsd.org
list.
gary
>
--
Gary D. Kline kline@tao.thought.org Public service Unix
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