commit f9e6db73725348dfab29071ac5a052493271905e parent 096335345af81cc9871297d104550f71de2aa79b Author: Christoph Lohmann <20h@r-36.net> Date: Fri, 31 Jul 2015 11:31:59 +0200 Adding the systemd chronicles. Diffstat:
| R | suckless.org/sucks.md -> suckless.org/sucks/index.md | | | 0 | |
| A | suckless.org/sucks/systemd.md | | | 226 | +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
2 files changed, 226 insertions(+), 0 deletions(-)
diff --git a/suckless.org/sucks.md b/suckless.org/sucks/index.md diff --git a/suckless.org/sucks/systemd.md b/suckless.org/sucks/systemd.md @@ -0,0 +1,226 @@ +Systemd is the best example of Suck. +==================================== +There is a menace which is spreading like a disease throughout the Linux +world, it is called [systemd](https://github.com/systemd/systemd). + +Short Historical Summary +------------------------ +Systemd is a replacement for the standard init command, which normally runs +as process id 1 on initialisation of a UNIX bootup. There has been a movement, +especially around the [Red Hat](http://www.redhat.com)-related developers to +copy [Microsoft Windows](http://www.microsoft.com/) and all of its features. +Now this interpretation of how a userspace should look like is implemented and +was introduced with big criticism and change in the Open Source world into +many distributions. The [debacle in Debian](https://wiki.debian.org/Debate/initsystem/systemd) +is the best example in how to not introduce such a changing technology into a +distribution. + +What PID 1 Should Do +------------------------ +On bootup does the kernel execute some given binary in its known namespace. To +see what are the only tasks the application running as pid 1 has to do, see +[sinit](http://git.suckless.org/sinit/). Just wait for child process to reap +and run some other init scripts. + +The Systemd Chronicles +---------------------- +Now follows a list of unsorted links to the Systemd changelog with comments. +The list is exceeding the life-time of a philosopher to discuss all +implications on the sanity of a system design. That's why the comments are +kept short. + +Part 1 +------ +(If you are adding more parts, link to the right revision and not just the +plain file.) +[NEWS revision 3f80af378331748e1373d4c189a8e20cddb735c9](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c) + +* [logind should wait](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n2089) + * Systemd was introduced to decrease the boot up time. Now that they + do not understand all implications and dependencies, let us add some + artifical time we found out might work for the developers + laptops. More on this small world hypothesis of the systemd + devleopers below. +* [scree brightness](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1852) + * Screen brightness is something that should crash your boot up when + it is not working. +* [hostnamed](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1763) + * There really should be a process running which exposes the content + of a file. Complex is without cost. +* [seqnum removed](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1742) + * The sequential ordering of requests was one reason why udevd was + introduced. Now remove it, because the developer laptops do not have + a problem anymore. +* [floppy group removed](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1703) + * Because we know what is right to know about groups. This is just one + example of the mass of group name dependencies systemd is adding. + See sinit for how to not need such dependencies. +* [sysv removed](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1651) + * We have won. Now remove all remains of the our defeated enemy as + fast as we can. As said in the beginning of the systemd crusade + against the UNIX infidels: »You can patch it out.« It is no more + there. +* [abnormal processes](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1627) + * Now systemd is getting deep into philosophy. What is »abnormal«? + Well, let us just define it. There is no technical merit to accept + this. +* [systemd-resolved](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1578) + * Every configuration file needs its own process and service. + * Symlinks are a good way to solve all world problems. +* [new is better](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1571) + * The systemd development process is flawed by always assuming »new is + best«. + * Network configuration should be in my init process. +* [remote pid 1](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1500) + * »Everything will end up having a remote API.« I wonder when systemd + will understand MIME and e-mail. +* [init does man](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1465) + * My init process is to big, it needs its own file hierarchy and an + abstraction layer to find paths. +* [factory reset](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1401) + * Welcome to the Windows OEM world: Factory reset for Linux! Of course + it is in your init process. +* [system runs runs](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1397) + * Exactly. The predisposition of being able to call such a complex + command does not imply the running system. Let's check it. +* [clean up directories](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1306) + * There is another monster, in system which does tmp file handling. + There are just some cases before it was introduced to have to clean up + a directory in the file tree. Now there are hundreds. And easily + another case can be added! Of course your init process does that. +* [firstboot](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1259) + * »Interactive queries« pulls in many dependencies. Let us have it in + every installation out there on by default. Of course in pid 1. +* [journald](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1234) + * This is a bit longer. Because the systemd developers were not able + to contribute to any syslog daemon they had to write their own with + some binary format so the principle of being able to read your log + files after a critical crash was violated. To be nice invaders the old + systems were allowed to order the system log through the specified + mechanism. Now that they implemented our specifics, turn off the + neutral syslog delivery. You will see this pattern of »now that we + conquered your culture, obey« more often in systemd. +* [systemd-terminal](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1224) + * Why does the kernel have tty handling? So in serious situations you + will be able to debug it over the last standing PIN on your + motherboard. Let us remove this. Run it in pid 1. +* [networkd is your oppressor](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1216) + * Premature optimisation of IP configurations always leads to misery. +* [We do not understand broadcast](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1211) + * As systemd is growing in its complexity and all stuff it is touching + of course somewhen the addition of hacks with new implications is + increasing. +* [Timezone hack](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1193) + * Systemd is too complex for such a simple transaction with the + kernel. Do not inform the kernel and add another assumption which is + only documented in the changelog. +* [the web is a session](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1168) + * For the future generations: In 2015 nearly everyone was trying to + connect all you do to the web. In the UNIX model it is just a client + which should be simple and integrate into the system. Systemd is + doing it the other way around and does integrate itself into the + web. + * The discussion about why my pid 1 is handling sessions is discussed + in other points. +* [pid 1 does DNS](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1128) + * This change adds another open door to your pid 1, adds caches, new + APIs and of course it will never fail and break systemd on your + initial boot. + * They are planning (2015-07) to add multicast DNS to your pid 1. + Multicast DNS implies an enforced timout to know if someone answered. + Systemd was about speed, you know. Look at avahi in how to ruin this + concept for Linux. It has the same developer flaws as systemd: Too + many forced dependencies, you need to implement its API and when it is + taking over you are doomed. +* [policykit](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1113) + * There is a bus inside your pid 1 and if it crashes you are flawed. + Exactly, there are a thousand more cases of errors that could occur + and make your system unbootable. Instead of using a separation of + functions, add everything to a big bus. + * Of course when you are using a misdesign like dbus you need to add + interactions over the bus to add features you forgot in the initial + design. Now let us have our pid 1 have to query for the permission + to boot. + * »Interactive authentication« will produce you a graphical input form + on your serial line. +* [Calendar](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n1044) + * As you see, your pid 1 should handle your calendars and cron jobs + too. +* [utmp should go](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n994) + * We have taken over your culture, now die! Another flaw in the + systemd small world theory: When something is getting optional it + will be removed. +* [password agent](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n964) + * »Interactive authentication« +* [udev timeout](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n944) + * Instead of patching the kernel to add a simple solution, add a hack. + Only the systemd developers tell you when it is allowed to wait or + sleep in userspace. The rest obey our orders! +* [systemd-pm](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n924) + * Power management is required on boot up. +* [user systemd units](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n898) + * What can go wrong when you are adding more paths that are read, + parsed and executed? +* [hack the reload](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n888) + * First systemd was adding »better features« like socket activation to + make developers use their mechanism for daemons. They hit the + proprietary wall of disgust with this changelog entry. Systemd is + too big and you will lose your face if you change the misdesign. Now + add another hack because we can do it. Big empires fall too and + sadly have too many casualties when they are falling. :( +* [X11 in systemd](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n783) + * Of course graphics were missing in pid 1. +* [complexity is purity](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n738) + * You will of course need PPPoE when you do parallel bootup. Every + 1000 lines of code add one critical bug you never find. +* [gateway hostname](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n700) + * We rule the world so we are above IETF and IANA. Now add our own + hostnames that of course won't add another assumption. +* [no editor in systemd](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n689) + * This one is a setback. Why is there no default editor in systemd in + case of factory reset? +* [7x ctrl + alt + del](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n610) + * In systemd you press seven times Ctrl+Alt+Del to trigger reboot. +* [privacy policy](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n594) + * For the next generations: In 2015 privacy was a big issue because of + the mentioned hard-wiring between the web and software. Now as seen + does every commit which adds some preparation in systemd add an + interpretation on what will be seen as a major feature. If you + handle privacy you will have some features depending on that user + decision and of course the factory reset default value. + * Why didn't they use XML for /etc/os-release? +* [fds cache](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n502) + * We have talked about misdesign, too-big-to-fail and world + domination. This is the next example of a hack that is prone to + fail. +* [mount -rf](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n380) + * This is umount for dummies. Just done one thing – right. +* [libudev will be orphaned](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n291) + * With the advent of udevd was there a compatibility to its complexity + called libudev. X11 uses it to query the changing devices. And of + course make it a non-independent API in systemd. Why? You can guess + why: Defeating the infidels. +* [fsck indirections](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n281) + * When there was syslog fsck did output errors to your display as + easy as possible. Now add a hack to have this possible again. +* [systemd-importd](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n236) + * This is pure evil. Your pid 1 is now able to import complete system + images over the network and show them to you as your running system. + There is nothing that can go wrong. +* [CGI for systemd](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n166) + * The web thing has been discussed before. +* [kdbus](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n57) + * As of 2015-07-31 kdbus is not in the mainline Linux kernel. Systemd + made kdbus non-optional in its release. This is the best example how + systemd is forcing you into decisions. Of course if your a mindless + bureaucrat it helps you to keep your job. +* [readahead removed](http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/NEWS?id=2d1ca11270e66777c90a449096203afebc37ec9c#n950) + * The first thing swallowed in on Fedora was readahead. Now that (of + course!) everyone is using an SSD (at least the developers of + systemd do that) it can be removed. Why was it there? Could it be + popped out into userspace to have the user decide about that it + should be still done? There's no time for that, we are implementing + new features. + +-- Führerbunker, 2015-07-31 +