Re: [PATCH] Add a /proc/self/exedir link

["Joshua Hudson" <joshudson@gmail.com>]

On 4/3/06, Mike Hearn <mike@plan99.net> wrote:
> Alright, Andrew Morton indicated that he liked this patch but the idea
> needed discussion and mindshare. I asked Con Kolivas if it made sense to
> go in his desktop patchset for people to try: he said he liked it too
> but it's not his area, and that it should be discussed here.
>
> To clarify, I'm proposing this patch for eventual mainline inclusion.
>
> It adds a simple bit of API - a symlink in /proc/pid - which makes it
> easy to build relocatable software:
>
>    ./configure --prefix=/proc/self/exedir/..
>
> This is useful for a variety of purposes:
>
> * Distributing programs that are runnable from CD or USB key (useful for
>    Linux magazine cover disks)
>
> * Binary packages that can be installed anywhere, for instance, to your
>    home directory
>
> * Network admins can more easily place programs on network mounts
>
> I'm sure you can think of others. You can patch software to be
> relocatable today, but it's awkward and error prone. A simple patch can
> allow us to get it "for free" on any UNIX software that uses the
> idiomatic autotools build system.
>
> So .... does anybody have any objections to this? Would you like to see
> it go in? Speak now or forever hold your peace! :)
>
> thanks -mike
Love it. I hope it doesn't get shot down.