>Robert P. Goldman wrote:

>> I'm trying to work with a company that distributes a simulator that
>> runs on linux.  Unfortunately, they have decided that their corporate
>> standard distro is going to be arch. =20

Chad Walstrom wrote:

>What is arch?

http://www.archlinux.org/

>Anyway, it sounds like you have a mess.  If they can't standardize
>internally one ONE development platform or at least ONE development box,
>then they're not going to last long.  Pressure them into standardizing
>the build process and build environment.
>
>If that doesn't work, see if you can convince them to install the
>software in /opt/COMPANY/PACKAGE directories with package names that
>include their company moniker: "company-packagename-version.rpm".  That
>way, they can install screwy binary package versions of libwhatever,
>which they initialize with a simple sh/csh environment wrapper program.
>
>------------------------8<------------------------
>#!/bin/sh
>#
>#
>CROOT=3D"/opt/COMPANY/"
>CBIN=3D"${CROOT}/bin"
>CLIB=3D"${CROOT}/lib"
>export CROOT CBIN CLIB
>
>LD_LIBRARY_PATH=3D"${CROOT}/lib:${LD_LIBRARY_PATH}"
>export LD_LIBRARY_PATH
>
>command=3D`basename $0`
>${CBIN}/${command} $@
>------------------------8<------------------------
>
>If the company wants to play nicely with distributions, then they have
>to pay attention to being backwards and forwards compatible in a
>consistent manner.

It is important to standardize the build environment, just like every
well built GNU/Linux package.  In this case, it shouldn't matter which
distribution is used.  Arch Linux is as good a choice of distribution as
any other, just not as popular as some ... maybe its a better choice
for this company.

There are two basic ways to approach distributions and the application
to be implemented.  Make your favourite distribution fit the application
or pick a distribution that is the best fit for the application.  For
example, if your application were building a firewall, choose a firewall
GNU/Linux distribution rather than turn your favourite GNU/Linux
distribution into a firewall.  

Sincerely,

Ken Fuchs <kfuchs at winternet.com>

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