Re: [vulture@aoi.dyndns.org: Bug#100744: Binary should be in /usr/bin, since it's useful to non-admins.]

["Vince Mulhollon" <vlm@norlight.com>]

On 06/14/2001 10:56:50 AM ressu wrote:
>> this brings us to even better question why is nmap in /usr/bin?

RTDPM = read the debian policy manual.

It doesn't belong there, therefore it isn't there.  Just because one
package refuses to follow Debian Policy, doesn't mean that others should
not.

Debian Policy Manual section 10.1.1 version 3.5.5.0 says "The location of
all installed files and directories must comply with the Filesystem
Hierarchy Standard (FHS), version 2.1."

Looking at FHS 2.1,
http://www.debian.org/doc/packaging-manuals/fhs/fhs-4.6.html:

"This directory contains any non-essential binaries used exclusively by the
system administrator. System administration programs that are required for
system repair, system recovery, mounting /usr, or other essential functions
should be placed in /sbin instead.


Typically, /usr/sbin contains networking daemons, any non-essential
administration tools, and binaries for non-critical server programs.


These server programs are used when entering the System V states known as
"run level 2" (multi-user state) and "run level 3" (networked state) or the
BSD state known as "multi-user mode". At this point the system is making
services available to users (e.g., printer support) and to other hosts
(e.g., NFS exports)."





Now look at this list of reasons why nmap doesn't belong in /usr/sbin:


1) nmap is not exclusively used by the sysadmin (you don't need root to run
it, users use it all the time, etc)


2) nmap is not used for system repair


3) nmap is not used for system recovery


4) nmap is not used for mounting /usr


5) nmap is not an "essential function" (some might disagree, but whatever)


6) nmap is not a networking daemon


7) nmap is not a non-essential admin tool (more like gdb than like dpkg)


8) nmap is not a binary for a "non-critical server program."


9) nmap is not a "server program"





If, after you RTDPM, you think it belongs somewhere other than /usr/bin,
please let me, us, or the package maintainer know.





Thanks!