> I think he may want that, bu the claims he is NOT getting that from > Linux; specifically the fact that installing one package causes half the > system to be upgraded and parts to be crippled. >
Totally agree - this is exactly what happened recently on a Linux server I know of. But to say that the implementation is poor is to ignore the prime motivation for such a system - many admins are too busy to compile all their software from source, follow dependencies and finesse implementation quirks. The various Linux packaging/installation/update systems have been hacked, modified, recoded and reworked to fit the various goals of the distro creators and coders (c.f. the two "official" versions of RPM currently available). Is it not possible that the engineering expertise and coherent cooperative work that made the Solaris OE so stable, powerful and dependable could go further towards the goal of simple, reliable software administration than any of the various Linux efforts? > Such as system may work fine if all the software you ever use is in the > repository (it generally isn't) and that if package "X"'s depenency > declaration of "X needs Y version A or later" is factual which requires > proper backward compatibility for Y. Having half of your software administered automatically is better than nothing. And package dependency resolution is an area where rigorous central administration can really set a package management system head and shoulders above the others. To say that to do it well is difficult does not mean it should not be attempted. That was a bit more of a rant than I intended, but I really see big potential for growth here. Chris _______________________________________________ opensolaris-discuss mailing list opensolaris-discuss@opensolaris.org
