NetBSD Problem Report #44173

From riastradh@smalltalk.local  Tue Nov 30 07:52:48 2010
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Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2010 07:52:48 +0000 (UTC)
From: Taylor R Campbell <campbell+netbsd@mumble.net>
To: gnats-bugs@gnats.NetBSD.org
Subject: dump(8) format is not documented
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>Number:         44173
>Category:       misc
>Synopsis:       dump(8) format is not documented
>Confidential:   no
>Severity:       serious
>Priority:       medium
>Responsible:    misc-bug-people
>State:          open
>Class:          doc-bug
>Submitter-Id:   net
>Arrival-Date:   Tue Nov 30 07:55:00 +0000 2010
>Last-Modified:  Tue Nov 30 16:10:03 +0000 2010
>Originator:     Taylor R Campbell <campbell+netbsd@mumble.net>
>Release:        NetBSD 5.1_STABLE
>Organization:
>Environment:
>Description:

	The file format used by dump(8) is not documented; nor is its
	compatibility with other operating systems or file systems or
	dump implementations discussed.  It should be documented
	precisely enough, or there should at least be a reference to
	documentation precise enough, that one can write programs to
	read and write the format.

>How-To-Repeat:

	Type `man dump'.  Fail to find said information.

>Fix:

	Yes, please!  Perhaps I shall use the source on some rainy day
	and prepare a patch myself.

>Audit-Trail:
From: eric@cirr.com (Eric Schnoebelen)
To: gnats-bugs@NetBSD.org
Cc: misc-bug-people@NetBSD.org, gnats-admin@NetBSD.org, netbsd-bugs@NetBSD.org
Subject: Re: misc/44173: dump(8) format is not documented
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:08:39 -0600

 The dump output file format is documented in
 /usr/include/protocols/dumprestore.h

 That said, the output of dump(8) is not traditionally considered
 portable. It is/was only readable on systems of the same
 operating system and architecture.  I believe NetBSD has removed
 the architecture dependence over the years.

 (having flashbacks of implementing the original "large file"
 edition of dump/restore for ConvexOS 10.0..  Make the visions
 stop, please! :D)

 --
 Eric Schnoebelen		eric@cirr.com		http://www.cirr.com
 		Earth -- the insane asylum for the universe...

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