netbase: update-inetd/DebianNet.pm

[Michel Onstein <michel@promera.nl>]

Hi,

as i am working on the ipv6 port of the netbase package i came across the
need to add an option to update-inetd/DebianNet.pm.

It turns out that the u-i/DB.pm programs are a bit of a hack (no offence
to the authors) and a get into hacking around some of it's behaviours..

To clearify a but, suppose the following situation:

update-inetd -add 'test stream  tcp nowait  root /usr/sbin/tcpd \
		  /usr/bin/test --once'

This would add the service test to /etc/inetd.conf. Suppose the same
package gets upgrade and has to change some of the variables passed to
test.

update-inetd -add 'test stream  tcp nowait  root /usr/sbin/tcpd \
                  /usr/bin/test --twice'

This results in absolutely nothing, it just leaves the old one in
/etc/inetd.conf.. Though the behaviour is consitent througout
update-inetd, it think it's somewhat arguable...

If one wants to change the params passed you'd first have to update-inetd
--remove it and add it again. I could think of numerous situations which
are even worse...

I realise that breaking it's behaviour is not an acceptable option, since
countless packages depend on it (i think), but still i feel there is a
need for something better/else... which should remain compatible/have a
compatible mode to the current update-inetd..

Any thoughts appreciated.

Yours

--

Michel Onstein     |   CistroN Group    |  Linux-, Internet-
promera@cistron.nl |                    |  Telecom specialists