4 ms·

It is called the Nix store, it is not a database as much as a special type of file hierarchy. It is not horrible, but it breaks tradition for sure. The benefit

by mongol 3y ago

It is called the Nix store, it is not a database as much as a special type of file hierarchy. It is not horrible, but it breaks tradition for sure. The benefits are best understood when evaluating NixOS as a whole, of which the file hierarchy is just a part.

PrimeMcFly 3y ago
Thanks for clarifying.
- db48x 3y ago
  One of the main benefits is that you can have multiple versions of something installed in the store, with individual environments pulling in the specific version that they require. Makes it really easy (or at least possible) to keep old software running, or to keep multiple environments running on the same computer even though the people who use them don't cooperate.
  - PrimeMcFly 3y ago
    Is it intuitive to navigate the file hierarchy? I don't mind something new but I don't want my files abstracted in any way.
    - db48x 3y ago
      The paths to things in the nix store have hashes in them, so they are not intuitive at all (and they’re not intended to be). Inside an environment, a program like Perl could still be located at /use/bin/perl, but it will be a symbolic link to the nix store. Alternatively, your environment might have a PATH variable that mentions all the necessary nix store paths. It depends on how you built that environment, which will depend on what the programs you run in that environment require. On the other hand, your personal files I your home directory are left alone; they don't get put in the nix store. An environment that needs access to your personal files (such as your desktop) simply has your home directory mounted into it.
      - PrimeMcFly 3y ago
        I don't think Nix is for me then. Thank you for the explanation though, I appreciate it.
    - deciduously 3y ago
      > I don't want my files abstracted in any way. That's what a file system is.
      - PrimeMcFly 3y ago
        I'm sure you know exactly what I meant, so do you really think your comment here is helpful or productive in any way?

by mongol 3y ago

PrimeMcFly 3y ago

Thanks for clarifying.

db48x 3y ago
One of the main benefits is that you can have multiple versions of something installed in the store, with individual environments pulling in the specific version that they require. Makes it really easy (or at least possible) to keep old software running, or to keep multiple environments running on the same computer even though the people who use them don't cooperate.
- PrimeMcFly 3y ago
  Is it intuitive to navigate the file hierarchy? I don't mind something new but I don't want my files abstracted in any way.
  - db48x 3y ago
    The paths to things in the nix store have hashes in them, so they are not intuitive at all (and they’re not intended to be). Inside an environment, a program like Perl could still be located at /use/bin/perl, but it will be a symbolic link to the nix store. Alternatively, your environment might have a PATH variable that mentions all the necessary nix store paths. It depends on how you built that environment, which will depend on what the programs you run in that environment require. On the other hand, your personal files I your home directory are left alone; they don't get put in the nix store. An environment that needs access to your personal files (such as your desktop) simply has your home directory mounted into it.
    - PrimeMcFly 3y ago
      I don't think Nix is for me then. Thank you for the explanation though, I appreciate it.
  - deciduously 3y ago
    > I don't want my files abstracted in any way. That's what a file system is.
    - PrimeMcFly 3y ago
      I'm sure you know exactly what I meant, so do you really think your comment here is helpful or productive in any way?