Re: [PATCH] make uselib configurable (was Re: uselib() & 2.6.X?)

[Jesper Juhl <juhl-lkml@dif.dk>]

On Tue, 11 Jan 2005, Barry K. Nathan wrote:

> On Sat, Jan 08, 2005 at 10:46:19AM -0800, Linus Torvalds wrote:
> > Another issue is likely that we should make the whole "uselib()"
> > interfaces configurable. I don't think modern binaries use it (where
> > "modern" probably means "compiled within the last 8 years" ;).
> 
> Here's an initial stab at such a patch. It adds a new config option,
[...]
> +config SYS_USELIB
> +	bool "sys_uselib syscall support (needed for old binaries)"
> +	---help---
> +	  Many old binaries (e.g. dynamically linked a.out binaries, and
> +	  ELF binaries that are dynamically linked against libc5), require
> +	  the sys_uselib syscall. However, on the typical Linux system, this
> +	  code is just old cruft that no longer serves a purpose.
> +
> +	  If you are unsure, say "N" if you care more about security and
> +	  trimming bloat, or say "Y" if you care more about compatibility
> +	  with old software. (If you will answer "Y" or "M" to BINFMT_AOUT,
> +	  below, you probably should answer "Y" here.)
> +

This last bit is not too readable IMO. I'd suggest something like this 
instead : 

       If you care mostly about security and trimming bloat, say "N".
       If you care more about compatibility with old software (or if
       you will answer "Y" or "M" to BINFMT_AOUT below) say "Y".
       
       If unsure, say "Y".



-- 
Jesper Juhl