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It is a mantra that web browser teams heed. That's why the HTML living standard is the absolute mess it is. "We don't break userspace" is not an absolute rule,
by geofft 5y ago
It is a mantra that web browser teams heed. That's why the HTML living standard is the absolute mess it is.
"We don't break userspace" is not an absolute rule, and has plenty of exceptions in practice, including security and things where no legitimate use case has been identified.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- hitekker 5y agoLinus Torvald coined the phrase "We don't break userspace" and he has been less than nice to people who seek to undermine compatibility in the name of security: http://lkml.iu.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/1711.2/01701.html http://lkml.iu.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/1711.2/01701.html
- Arnavion 5y agoInterestingly enough, the kernel has broken my (userspace) programs at two different occasions. Both times were knowing and intentional, as in the commit messages acknowledged that they were making breaking changes, and they weren't because of security either. But these were only two occasions over ~10 years, so it's not too big of a deal.
- geofft 5y agoI understand where the phrase is from. I am saying the rule is not as absolute as you think it is. Linus himself breaks userspace on occasion where it is warranted.