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Re: /etc/libnss-ldap.conf (was Re: use and abuse of debconf)



On Mon, 15 Jan 2001, Jason Henry Parker wrote:
> Davide Puricelli <apurice@tin.it> writes:
> > I'm making a new version that will ask you a question for all the values you can
> > have into /etc/libnss-ldap.conf.

> You've completely missed the point.  The problem is that changes made
> to the file outside debconf are not preserved when the package is
> reconfigured or upgraded.

HEAR! That is *exactly* it.

Often, when someone asks me why I use Debian instead of RedHat, I answer:
"Apart from the Higher Moral Ground stuff, which may or may not be of
importance to you, I like Debian's clueful treatment of config files."

I've been known to say "I am not going back to Red 'config hell' Hat again
because (insert random reason here)." quite often, as well.

Disclaimer: Red Hat is not the only disto which screws up with your config
files, it is probably not even the worst in that regard, and it may have
gotten much better in this particular point since I last used it (RH 5.1).

If it goes in /etc you better think twice before not flagging it a conffile.
If it IS a configuration file (be it flagged as conffile or not) and you
overwrite it without asking for *permission* first, your package is
seriously broken, and unfit for release for violating Debian policy AND
for being Evil.

Debconf is a good thing. Irresponsible use of debconf is a major Bad Thing.
Don't Do That.

-- 
  "One disk to rule them all, One disk to find them. One disk to bring
  them all and in the darkness grind them. In the Land of Redmond
  where the shadows lie." -- The Silicon Valley Tarot
  Henrique Holschuh

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