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Date:      Sat, 6 Feb 1999 01:16:17 +0000 (GMT)
From:      Terry Lambert <tlambert@primenet.com>
To:        archie@whistle.com (Archie Cobbs)
Cc:        dcs@newsguy.com, tlambert@primenet.com, dhw@whistle.com, freebsd-hackers@FreeBSD.ORG
Subject:   Re: more modular rc/init/uninit system...
Message-ID:  <199902060116.SAA22700@usr02.primenet.com>
In-Reply-To: <199902050308.TAA31969@bubba.whistle.com> from "Archie Cobbs" at Feb 4, 99 07:08:31 pm

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> > > > 1) Links? That's awful. Configuration information should be put in a
> > > > FILE.
> > > 
> > > Uh, we await your diffs to phkmalloc.  Be sure to run them by Poul
> > > so he can reject them.  8-).
> > 
> > I claim that's different, though not so confidently. The problem
> > with the "links" above is that the configuration information is the
> > *directory*, not the link by itself (as I have the vague impression
> > is the case you mention).
> 
> The main reason a symlink is used is for speed, since almost
> every substantial program calls malloc().
> 
> Symlinks are much faster to read than opening a file and reading
> its contents.

Note that I was referring explicitly to his blanket statement.

The use of links in the rc.d case is to multiply services into
different run levels (should be states).

The use of the symlink in the phkmalloc case is an abuse of
links to implement what are, effectively, "immediate files".
Note that I condone this abuse, since something that lets you
do bad things also lets you do clever things (like this).

In the rc.d case, the complaint is general raised to fend off an
increase in complexity.

The people who want to increase the complexity want to do so so they
can do clever things.

The people who want to keep the status quo are the people who
don't want to do those things, and so the change looks like change
for change's sake.  That's their perspective, and you have to
respect that until you can wear them down.  8-).


					Terry Lambert
					terry@lambert.org
---
Any opinions in this posting are my own and not those of my present
or previous employers.

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