Re: devfs

Tethys (tethys@ml.com)
Tue, 13 Jan 1998 14:33:25 +0000


>> directory tree is a good compromise. It will be easier to find devices if
>> there is a shallow hierarchy based on function: disk, tape, cdrom, scsi (for
>> generic), etc.
>
>Yes, that's my feeling too. I think devices should be categorised by
>functionality. Whether something is a SCSI disc, an IDE disc or a
>floppy is of secondary importance.

So how do you classify something like the PD drives found on recent
Compaqs and other machines? They're a combined drive that accepts both
CD-ROMs and rewritable optical disks. Under NT, they have two separate
drive letters. Are you suggesting that we have two devices for the same
drive, one in /dev/cdrom, one in /dev/scsi (or whatever)? I don't even
know if the drive is supported at all under Linux, but the principle
is there.

>Instead of /dev/disk how about /dev/dsk, which is in keeping with
>Solaris and HP-UX?

We've already sacrificed Solaris compatibility by changing the identifier
letters. If anything, using /dev/dsk could confuse Solaris admins moving
to Linux, expecting to find Solarice device names there. Using /dev/disk
would be definitely different, and immediately gives a clue that it's not
like Solaris. Minor point, though, and I'd accept either.

Tet

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