> There are so many configurations of Linux, that it is hard to find
> a version to compile against where users can reliably get applications
> to work.
I think it is not a major responsibility of a user to get an application
to work reliably on Linux. It is primary responsibility of the
application's
developer and a Linux repackager (RedHat, etc) to make sure that
specific
application runs reliably at specific Linux distributions.
If user wants this application to run on the distribution which is not
intended for, it is the user's problem. This is the way how various
repackagers/distributors could differentiate themselves, providing
maximum
reliably running Linux applications per buck.
SUN could release Java for specific Linux software configuration (not
necessarily distribution). It could be major selling point for
repackagers
to get that stuff working reliably with their distribution.
> The same problem is not present with MS operating systems because the
> releases remain for a long time (a couple of years). Users have to
> put up with the bugs for that long though.
Windows have their own good share of released software synchronization
problems with DLL interdependency for different applications.
> Applications compiled for Solaris 5.x will run on most of the OS
> versions without problems. This allows users to install quickly and
> with confidence applications that have been precompiled for that
> series of operating system versions.
Because Linux and its applications are free, repackagers could force
the users to update their software accordingly to avoid old version
maintenance nightmare. Yes, it is not ideal solution, but commercial
solution is not ideal either. The important point to make easy update
Jacob Nikom
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Jan-Henrik said:
>
> > AFAIK he's thinking primarily of the different libc versions on Linux,
> > and that Linux distributions comes in different configurations, i.e. a
> > Linux dist. is not really as homogeneous as we like to think it is.
>
> I think that's a very well put explanation. There are so many
> configurations of Linux, that it is hard to find a version to compile
> against where users can reliably get applications to work.
>
> This is a serious problem for the Linux community. It makes it hard
> for closed source software to be provided on Linux. Sun are reluctant
> to get into it; several companies that used to provide Linux ports
> have withdrawn them because they can't find a way of providing them
> stably. When I was a real commercial developer, porting and OS
> versions were the biggest nightmare we had.
>
> It also affects users, who have to be very aware of which version of
> various different shared libraries they have installed. Frequently
> collections of software require different, and occasionally
> conflicting, versions of the libraries. This is fine for systems with
> full-time administrators, but causes other users (like me) no end of
> headaches.
>
> The same problem is not present with MS operating systems because the
> releases remain for a long time (a couple of years). Users have to
> put up with the bugs for that long though.
>
> Apple provide major versions of software every few years with updates,
> which are by and large compatible, every so often.
>
> There is an argument that Unix is more complex, and this model could
> not easily be applied. In fact, Sun is a good example of an
> organisation that successfully manages that process. Applications
> compiled for Solaris 5.x will run on most of the OS versions without
> problems. This allows users to install quickly and with confidence
> applications that have been precompiled for that series of operating
> system versions.
>
> If you are under the impression that this is how Linux works too, I
> would suggest that you look again carefully.
>
> Simon Read
>
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