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Message-ID: <4256BF44.2000100@errno.com>
Date: Fri, 08 Apr 2005 10:28:36 -0700
From: Sam Leffler <sam@errno.com>
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To: Poul-Henning Kamp <phk@phk.freebsd.dk>
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cc: Bruce Evans <bde@zeta.org.au>
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Subject: Re: cvs commit: src/sys/kern kern_mutex.c
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Poul-Henning Kamp wrote:
> In message <4256B3EF.5090702@errno.com>, Sam Leffler writes:
> 
> 
>>I agree with bde.  One major distinction I've noticed between Linux and 
>>BSD systems is that Linux uses sysctls (aka /proc) in lieu of user-mode 
>>tools that retrieve and format data.  While this is a reasonable 
>>approach when you're distributing only a kernel that's not the case 
>>here.  For debug info I can buy doing it (e.g. single user and no apps 
> 
>>from src/tools), but otherwise we're just adding stuff to the kernel 
> 
>>that belongs in apps.
> 
> 
> The reason I disagree is that the amount of code it takes to convert
> the data to an export format and the overhead of having a program in
> userspace format it into text is ridiculous compared to just formatting
> things in the kernel to begin with.

My experience is the opposite.

> 
> And besides, a formatted sysctl has no binary compatibility issues at
> all.  I like that too.
> 

Sure, that's the downside; you need to design binary protocols with care 
(this is a protocol after all).

	Sam