John Plocher wrote:
> Joseph Kowalski wrote:
>>> That combination is impossible.
>> Uh, unless I'm missing something, the following, very elaborate and 
>> convoluted path
>> would provide the requested semantic.
>>
>>             PATH=/usr/bin
>>
>> I must be missing something.
> 
> #include <dead_horse.h>
> 
> Postulate the following directory layout based on what this
> project proposes:
> 
> A) /usr/bin/ls       a Posix/SUS Solaris utility
> B) /usr/bin/gtar     a GNU utility provided by this project
> 
> Also presume that there is a directory that contains a different
> version of the FSF's binutils:
> 
> C) /opt/csw/bin/gtar a different version of the FSF's GNU utility
> 
> Note that there are also "conflicting" executable names on the system:
> 
> D) /usr/gnu/bin/ls,
> E) /usr/gnu/bin/gtar (same as B)
> F) /opt/csw/bin/ls
> 
> How can I set my PATH such that
>     ls    resolves to A
> and
>     gtar  resolves to C?
> 
> PATH=?
>     gives me A and C
> 
> 
> My choices seem to be:
> 
> PATH=/usr/bin:...
>     gives me A and B - I lose the csw gtar
> 
> PATH=/usr/gnu/bin:/usr/bin:...
>     gives me D and E (aka B) - I lose the Solaris ls AND the csw gtar
> 
> PATH=/opt/csw/bin:/usr/bin:...
>     gives me F and C - I lose the Solaris ls
> 
> 
>    -John


Note that you can make exactly the same argument if you want the
Solaris version of m4 but the gnu version of ls, regardless of where
we place non-conflicting names.  If you want to  pick individual
binaries out of directories, use symbolic links:

% mkdir ~/bin
% ln -s /opt/csw/bin/gtar ~/bin
% PATH=~/bin:/usr/bin:...

It's very simple.

PATH=/usr/bin should work for most people.  Selecting alternate
environments can be accomplished by placing those environments ahead
of /usr/bin.  Those wishing "Dim Sum" binary selection are encouraged
to use symbolic links in their own personal bin directory.

Richards' proposal to create a /usr/sunos containing only "solaris"
commands might be interesting but that is not this project.  I can
foresee interesting arguments as to what it might contain, and what
might be excluded.

- Bart


-- 
Bart Smaalders                  Solaris Kernel Performance
barts at cyber.eng.sun.com              http://blogs.sun.com/barts

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