Proposal to remove Bash from "essentials"

[GarryRicketson]

I was browsing the wiki, and stumbled on to this,

https://wiki.debian.org/Proposals/EssentialOnDiet

and
https://wiki.debian.org/Proposals/RemoveBashFromEssential

I am not really sure what to think about this,...I don't like the idea myself.

[4D696B65]

dash has been default for a long time now so I don't mind a little cleaning out of the essential closet.

[Head_on_a_Stick]

Yes, I agree. EDIT: with 4D696B5, I mean

Bash is bloat

Code: Select all

TheLab: ~ $ echo $0
-ksh

[debiman]

I am not really sure what to think about this

as already stated, the default shell for debian is dash.
it is MUCH lighter & faster than bash.
bash is not really needed for a debian system to work, so by definition it's not essential!
i love coding in bash, but more and more often (esp. for very simple scripts) i consciously choose dash:

Code: Select all

#!/bin/sh == #!/bin/dash != #!/bin/bash

[cpoakes]

Apples vs Oranges: "What is essential to run barebones debian?" vs "What is essential to my barebones working environment?" While bash may be essential for the OP's working environment, it is not essential to barebones debian (written for dash) or even other command line users (insert merits of your favorite shell here).

There are good arguments for both familiarity with Bourne/POSIX syntax and writing scripts with a #!/bin/sh shebang statement:

1. They use the lighter/faster dash* in a debian environment.
2. They are far more portable in *nix environments.
3. Bash is not always available (busybox provides ash or even more restricted shells in very old versions).

* Ironically, dash is treated as a Bourne shell replacement but missing one feature (LINENO) to be 100% POSIX compliant.

[GarryRicketson]

Thanks on the replies, that helps clear up most of my confusion,
I also was reading some more on this, and it seems to come down
to "bash" still is essential because there are a lot of packages that depend
on "bash" still,
https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2014/09/msg00890.html
There is more in the thread.
Thanks