James Carlson
2007-Dec-18 13:20 UTC
[zfs-discuss] [osol-code] /usr/bin and /usr/xpg4/bin differences
Sasidhar Kasturi writes:> Is it that /usr/bin binaries are more advanced than that of /xpg4 > things or .. the extensions of the /xpg4 things?No. They''re just different.> If i want to make some modifications in the code.. Can i do it for /xpg4/bin > commands or .. i should do it for /usr/bin commands??There''s no simple answer to that question. If your modifications affect things that are covered by the relevant standards, and if your modifications are not in compliance with those standards, then you should not be changing the /usr/xpg4/bin or /usr/xpg6/bin versions of the utility. If your modifications affect compatibility with historic Solaris or SunOS behavior, then you''ll need to look closely at how your changes fit into the existing /usr/bin utility. In general, I think we''d like to see new features added to both where possible and where conflicts are not present. But each proposal is different. I''d suggest doing one (or maybe more) of the following: - putting together a proposal for a change, getting a sponsor through the usual process, and then bring the issues up in an ARC review. - finding an expert in the area you''re planning to change to help give you some advice. - getting a copy of the standards documents (most are on-line these days; see www.opengroup.org) and figuring out what issues apply in your case. -- James Carlson, Solaris Networking <james.d.carlson at sun.com> Sun Microsystems / 35 Network Drive 71.232W Vox +1 781 442 2084 MS UBUR02-212 / Burlington MA 01803-2757 42.496N Fax +1 781 442 1677
Bill Sommerfeld
2007-Dec-18 15:33 UTC
[zfs-discuss] [osol-code] /usr/bin and /usr/xpg4/bin differences
On Sat, 2007-12-15 at 22:00 -0800, Sasidhar Kasturi wrote:> If i want to make some modifications in the code.. Can i do it > for /xpg4/bin commands or .. i should do it for /usr/bin commands??If possible (if there''s no inherent conflict with either the applicable standards or existing practice) you should do it for both to minimize the difference between the two variants of the commands. I''m currently working with John Plocher to figure out why the opinion for psarc 2005/683 (which sets precedent that divergence between command variants should be minimized) hasn''t been published, but there''s a more detailed explanation of the desired relationship between /usr/bin, /usr/xpg4/bin, and /usr/xpg6/bin in that opinion. - Bill
John Plocher
2007-Dec-18 16:15 UTC
[zfs-discuss] [osol-code] /usr/bin and /usr/xpg4/bin differences
Sasidhar Kasturi wrote:> Thank you, > Is it that /usr/bin binaries are more advanced than that of > /xpg4 things or .. the extensions of the /xpg4 things?They *should* be the same level of "advancement", but each has a different set of promises and expectations it needs to live up to...> > If i want to make some modifications in the code.. Can i do it for > /xpg4/bin commands or .. i should do it for /usr/bin commands??If you are doing this "just for yourself", it doesn''t matter - fix the one you use. If you intend to push these changes back into the OS.o source base, you will need to make the changes to both (and, possibly interact with the OpenSolaris ARC Community if your changes affect the architecture/interfaces of the commands). In the case of df, I''m not at all sure why the two commands are different. (I''m sure someone else will chime in and educate me :-) -John