Re: Why can't root check in files?

[Kaz Kylheku]

In article <address@hidden>, Greg A. Woods wrote:
>[ On Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 13:01:11 (+1000), address@hidden wrote: ]
>> Subject: Re: Why can't root check in files?
>>
>> Most of the text files in /etc are used as-is, which is why
>> I think it's okay to use CVS in an unusual way in this case.
>
>Just because a file is used "as-is" -- i.e. doesn't require any
>transformation or translation, is not any reason to ignore all the
>process related reasons why you _need_ a build system!!!!

Also I disagree about the ``as is'' to begin with. The file metadata such
as permissions will not be properly versioned if the sandbox is made
to serve as the deployment directory. Basically, the sandbox file
will inherit its permissions from the corresponding ,v file in
the repository. Changing the permissions on a ,v will affect all versions
simultaneously, so the idea of recoverable configuration---which is
the central concept in version control---goes out the window.

You will get better version control if you just edit your /etc directory
in place and do daily backups of it instead of fussing about with CVS.