Re: [PATCH 1/1] image.bbclass: add a method to add/delete/modify user/group settings

[Mark Hatle <mark.hatle@windriver.com>]

On 7/5/13 3:39 AM, Martin Jansa wrote:
> On Fri, Jul 05, 2013 at 02:07:28PM +0800, Qi.Chen@windriver.com wrote:
>> From: Chen Qi <Qi.Chen@windriver.com>
>>
>> We may want to add a user or group which does not logically belong to
>> any specific package. For example, we may want to add a user with the
>> name 'tester' to our image. Besides, we may want to delete or modify
>> user/group in our image.
>>
>> This patch adds a variable, USER_GROUP_SETTINGS, which is dedicated
>> to these tasks. The configuration format is detailed in the local.conf.
>> sample.extended file.
>>
>> This patch also adds a function, set_user_group, which happens at
>> the end of the ROOTFS_POSTPROCESS_COMMAND. It handles the settings
>> in the USER_GROUP_SETTINGS variable.
>
> Why not use extra package just with user?
>
> See "[PATCH v3 0/5] Allow xuser to shutdown (cover letter only)"

The issue is that the users don't want extra (empty) packages to just add 
standard users/groups.  What they want is a post image-generation 
"configuration" mechanism.

Adding users/groups is one of the basic items that they want/need.  This really 
has to be considered to be an administrative activity vs a distribution 
activity.  (I.e. difference between creating a package and performing some kind 
of post-image action.)

The other issue with a package based approach is it then mandates changes occur 
by having to rebuild/reinstall packages.  This is onerous in my experience, for 
something basic like this.  It's really outside of the package manager's control.

>
>
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