Messages in this thread | | | Date | Thu, 18 Feb 1999 04:35:17 -0800 (PST) | From | Anonymous <> | Subject | Re: Binary compatability is about ADMINISTRATION! |
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Fred Reimer wrote:
I wrote the original anonymous message you're replying to.
> As Linux is a relatively young OS, you have to expect a certain amount of > incompatabilities from a 1.x version through a 2.0.x version up to a 2.2.x > version. Yes, they should definately be minimized to the maximum extent, > but "old" technologies should not be kept around just for the sake of > backwards compatability (not speaking of any particular change, just > generalities here). There is a certain point that you must say, as an > administrator, "NO I won't support that 7 year old version of Linux (or any > product) anymore. You HAVE to upgrade if you want official support."
This isn't the issue; when you perform a major upgrade, you're usually prepared to handle issues such binary incompatabilities, although it's hoped they won't arise. If there's a compelling reason to break backwards compatability, then you do it. But it shouldn't happen because developers are too lazy to find a compatable solution.
Monty was complaining about a binary compatability problem which was INTRODUCED in the "stable" 2.0.x series, supposedly for PRODUCTION use! Nobody allows such careless changes in production code. This wasn't a 2.1.x developer's kernel. This was supposed to be a stable release, a relatively minor upgrade to the previous release. The changes should NOT have caused binary incompatabilities, but they DID. That's why Monty was complaining about the carelessness here; it's the sort of thing that can destroy all the confidence in Linux that has taken years to build, and once the confidence is gone, it's GONE. This isn't a small or inconsequential matter; it could affect mainstream Linux acceptance for years to come, possibly FOREVER. If we want Linux to suceed, this sort of thing cannot be taken lightly.
We got away with the previous incompatable changes because Linux was still young and largely still a hacker community. That's been changing in 1998 and beyond; Linux is headed for the mainstream, and if we want it to succeed, we MUST start acting more like professionals. End of story.
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