Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 18:02:28 -0700 (PDT) From: Matthew Dillon <dillon@apollo.backplane.com> To: Mike Smith <msmith@FreeBSD.ORG> Cc: arch@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: 64 bit times revisited.. Message-ID: <200110270102.f9R12SO42251@apollo.backplane.com> References: <200110270109.f9R19uv06023@mass.dis.org>
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:
:> :And before anyone gets their knickers in a knot, remember this; all of
:> :the system time values (time_t, timeval, timespec) are meant to
:> :represent possible values of "now". Until "now" starts to blow them
:> :out, we have much bigger fish to fry.
:> :
:> Actually not quite true. We had to spend two weeks writing date/time
:> routines because the standard UNIX time_t routines couldn't go past
:> 2038. The time_t limitations are creating problems *NOW*. It messes
:> up simulations, forward looking views, contracts that start now and
:> end after 2038, astronomical programs, etc etc etc.
:
:I'll say it again, then.
:
:These programs should *not* be trying to use these functions. These functions
:are meant for manipulating time_t, which is a representation of "now".
Who says? Programs have used these functions to manipulate the concept
of time ever since the functions first came into being. Are you
suggesting that every single person who writes a program that manipulates
time that may not be 'now' must go and write his own library to support
that function? Sorry, did that already... didn't like it a bit. We
have a wonderful set of time-related library functions that take into
account daylight savings time and all sorts of other goodies and I
want to be able to use them.
Your position makes no sense, Mike. We have to deal with programs that
are already written as well as developers expectations. Your expectations
seem far out in left field to me. time_t is a representation of time,
not a representation of time 'now'.
-Matt
Matthew Dillon
<dillon@backplane.com>
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