GNU bug report logs - #6235
hostname and -b option

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From: help-debbugs <at> gnu.org (GNU bug Tracking System)
To: Bob Proulx <bob <at> proulx.com>
Cc: tracker <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: bug#6235: closed (hostname and -b option)
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 05:37:02 +0000

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Your message dated Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:33:20 -0600
with message-id <20110825053320.GA26301 <at> hysteria.proulx.com>
and subject line Re: bug#6235: hostname and -b option
has caused the GNU bug report #6235,
regarding hostname and -b option
to be marked as done.

(If you believe you have received this mail in error, please contact
help-debbugs <at> gnu.org.)


-- 
6235: http://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=6235
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From: "Nelson H. F. Beebe" <beebe <at> math.utah.edu>
To: bug-coreutils <at> gnu.org
Cc: bowman <at> math.utah.edu, Brad Hawks <brad <at> physics.utah.edu>,
	beebe <at> math.utah.edu
Subject: hostname and -b option
Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 15:45:01 -0600 (MDT)

We noticed recently that Ubuntu's /bin/hostname has this option

    -b, --boot            set default hostname if none available

and uses it in /etc/init/hostname.conf.

However, the GNU version from coreutils-1.8 lacks that option.

Unfortunately, Ubuntu's startup script puts /usr/local/bin ahead of
/bin and /usr/bin, thus getting a version of hostname that chokes on
the -b option.  We patched the configuration file to force an explicit
path:

    exec /bin/hostname -b -F /etc/hostname

Would it be reasonable to consider adding support in coreutils for the -b option?

At my site, I have

    % cat /etc/lsb-release
    DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
    DISTRIB_RELEASE=9.10
    DISTRIB_CODENAME=karmic
    DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 9.10"

    % uname -r
    2.6.31-21-generic-pae

    % /bin/hostname --version
    hostname 2.95

[I'm not urging that this be done, merely that it be discussed.  In my
view, Ubuntu is at fault for introducing nonstandard options, and
messing up the boot PATH, and failing to use explicit paths on
critical boot-time commands.  We had issues a few months ago with GNU
inetutils that have since been resolved by adding support in inetutils
for an option expected by Ubuntu.]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Nelson H. F. Beebe                    Tel: +1 801 581 5254                  -
- University of Utah                    FAX: +1 801 581 4148                  -
- Department of Mathematics, 110 LCB    Internet e-mail: beebe <at> math.utah.edu  -
- 155 S 1400 E RM 233                       beebe <at> acm.org  beebe <at> computer.org -
- Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0090, USA    URL: http://www.math.utah.edu/~beebe/ -
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From: Bob Proulx <bob <at> proulx.com>
To: "Nelson H. F. Beebe" <beebe <at> math.utah.edu>, 6235-done <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Cc: bowman <at> math.utah.edu, Brad Hawks <brad <at> physics.utah.edu>
Subject: Re: bug#6235: hostname and -b option
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:33:20 -0600

> Have there been any new developments with this issue?
> Note that the BTS is tracking it here:
>   http://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=6235

It has been a year since any feedback has been provided on this issue
in the bug tracking system.  I assume that the discussion logged so
far was sufficient.  Therefore I am closing this bug.  If you have
more information for it that is great.  It is okay with me if you wish
to re-open the bug.

Bob

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