freebsd stable - Dec 2005 - bsdtar / libarchive bug?

It seems bsdtar can create files it cant read. i.e. it will happily create
empty tar.gz files but when it comes to read them the following error
is output:
tar: Unrecognized archive format: Inappropriate file type or format

Having a look at libarchive shows the following code:
    /* An empty archive is a serious error. */
    if (bytes_read == 0) {
        archive_set_error(a, ARCHIVE_ERRNO_FILE_FORMAT,
            "Empty input file");
        return (ARCHIVE_FATAL);
    }

Which is where I expect the issue is, why would an empty archive
be fatal? I can see any reason for this, yes its strange but there's
nothing fatal about it imo.

    Steve


===============================================This e.mail is private and
confidential between Multiplay (UK) Ltd. and the person or entity to whom it is
addressed. In the event of misdirection, the recipient is prohibited from using,
copying, printing or otherwise disseminating it or any information contained in
it.

In the event of misdirection, illegible or incomplete transmission please
telephone (023) 8024 3137
or return the E.mail to postmaster@multiplay.co.uk.

On Thu, Dec 08, 2005 at 05:29:06PM -0000, Steven Hartland
wrote:
> It seems bsdtar can create files it cant read. i.e. it will happily create
> empty tar.gz files but when it comes to read them the following error
> is output:
> tar: Unrecognized archive format: Inappropriate file type or format
> 
> Having a look at libarchive shows the following code:
>    /* An empty archive is a serious error. */
>    if (bytes_read == 0) {
>        archive_set_error(a, ARCHIVE_ERRNO_FILE_FORMAT,
>            "Empty input file");
>        return (ARCHIVE_FATAL);
>    }
> 
> Which is where I expect the issue is, why would an empty archive
> be fatal? I can see any reason for this, yes its strange but there's
> nothing fatal about it imo.
I don't think it will "happily create empty tar.gz files", even
where
by empty you mean the tar itself inside of the gz.

{"/home/green" green@green}$ tar cfv x.tar
tar: no files or directories specified
{"/home/green" green@green}$ tar cfvz x.tar.gz
tar: no files or directories specified
{"/home/green" green@green}$ ls -l x.ta*
ls: x.ta*: No such file or directory

-- 
Brian Fundakowski Feldman                           \'[ FreeBSD
]''''''''''\
  <> green@FreeBSD.org                               \  The Power to
Serve! \
 Opinions expressed are my own.                       \,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,\