Re: upstart: please update to latest upstream version
On Tue, Feb 28, 2012 at 04:51:18PM +0000, Roger Leigh wrote:
> On Sat, Feb 25, 2012 at 12:17:43AM +0200, Uoti Urpala wrote:
> > Roger Leigh wrote:
> > > On Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 04:20:47PM +0200, Uoti Urpala wrote:
> > > > > [note: it's somewhat desirable for them to be optional on Linux
> > > > > too, to prevent feature lock-in and future compatibility problems].
> > > >
> > > > Unix kernel development outside Linux is pretty limited, especially
> > > > development for features other than server use. I think "avoid requiring
> > > > Linux-specific features" would turn into "avoid technology developed
> > > > after the 90s".
> > >
> > > This is missing the point. I'm not saying "don't use Linux-specific
> > > features", I'm saying that use of Linux-specific features should be
> > > /optional/, even on Linux. Only use them if present.
>
> > > Let's take cgroups as an example. They are an optional feature
> > > even on Linux.
> >
> > As are several fundamental POSIX features.
>
> POSIX features, optional or not, are standard and will not change
> incompatibly. If not present, one would expect an ENOSYS error return
> and the code should cope with that eventuality.
>
> cgroups is both non-standard, changing rapidly, and does not have a
> guaranteed future. It's somewhat controversial even amongst kernel
> hackers. Relying on it is, to put it mildly, short-sighted.
[...]
This is FUD. The Linux kernel developers are very concerned with
maintaining compatibility with existing userland programs, and the
widespread use of systemd by other distributions means that the APIs
it uses must be maintained.
Ben.
--
Ben Hutchings
We get into the habit of living before acquiring the habit of thinking.
- Albert Camus
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