[HEADS-UP] Rawhide: /tmp is now on tmpfs

[Pádraig Brady]

On 05/31/2012 11:45 AM, Pádraig Brady wrote:
> On 05/31/2012 08:14 AM, Roberto Ragusa wrote:
>> On 05/31/2012 02:40 AM, Lennart Poettering wrote:
>>> Heya!
>>>
>>> Please be aware that since the most recent systemd uploads /tmp is now
>>> in tmpfs by default in Rawhide/F18.
>> [...]
>>> This will most likely lead to a problem or two with software that isn't
>>> happy about /tmp being small.
>>
>> For example "sort".
>
> This is a good example because `sort` algorithmically needs
> something below RAM in the memory hierarchy (i.e. bigger),
> but with the same persistence characteristics of /tmp.
>
> Currently `sort` defaults to $TMPDIR or if not set '/tmp'.
>
> Now /var/tmp should be "more persistent" which we don't need,
> but shouldn't be an issue, but should also not be in RAM
> and so is more appropriate.

One possible issue is that stale sort tmp files could persist
in /var/tmp for 30 days even after a reboot.

I'm going to err on the side of leaving sort(1) as is
and using /tmp by default, as detailed at:
http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/coreutils/2012-09/msg00139.html

In summary, sort(1) only needs stateless storage,
so lets keep it more abstract and default to /tmp,
rather than worrying about system specifics.

cheers,
Pádraig.