From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 Return-Path: Received: (qmail 27479 invoked by alias); 7 Jun 2009 19:47:02 -0000 Received: (qmail 27418 invoked by uid 48); 7 Jun 2009 19:46:52 -0000 Date: Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:47:00 -0000 From: "dandart at googlemail dot com" To: glibc-bugs@sources.redhat.com Message-ID: <20090607194651.10251.dandart@googlemail.com> Reply-To: sourceware-bugzilla@sourceware.org Subject: [Bug libc/10251] New: Glibc should be back and forward compatible X-Bugzilla-Reason: CC Mailing-List: contact glibc-bugs-help@sourceware.org; run by ezmlm Precedence: bulk List-Id: List-Subscribe: List-Post: List-Help: , Sender: glibc-bugs-owner@sourceware.org X-SW-Source: 2009-06/txt/msg00023.txt.bz2 It is a known fact that Windows XP can run applications from Windows 95 or even earlier. That is 6 years earlier, or greater. Linux should have a mechanism in which it can run native apps compiled for the same architecture but with earlier or later Glibc versions, therefore enabling binary distribution to work indefinitely. Earlier may be a challenge, seeing as major code blocks that may be required in 2.11 to run programs may not be present in 2.2, but at least running older programs on a newer libc would not be impossible. This will have the effect of either having a medium to large code change, or stabilising the system. Stability is a good thing and will ensure things won't break. If someone made a package 5 years ago only in binary form and it doesn't run or cannot compile today, that is a major blow for compatibility. It may be that other apps besides glibc are affected, and they should be similarly adapted. I cannot unfortunately code this well, I would help if I could, but I will spread this if this bug is accepted. Assigned Critical as new versions break things. Sorry if it bugs you. Thanks -- Summary: Glibc should be back and forward compatible Product: glibc Version: unspecified Status: NEW Severity: critical Priority: P2 Component: libc AssignedTo: drepper at redhat dot com ReportedBy: dandart at googlemail dot com CC: glibc-bugs at sources dot redhat dot com http://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=10251 ------- You are receiving this mail because: ------- You are on the CC list for the bug, or are watching someone who is.