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Groups > linux.debian.bugs.dist > #1265096

Bug#1115317: Technical Committee resolution on /var/lock and systemd

Cross-posted to 2 groups.

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unarchive 1110980
reopen 1110980
severity 1110980 important
tags 1110980 - wontfix
block 1115317 by 1110980
quit

Hi,

In #1115317, the Technical Committee (TC) was asked about the future
of /var/lock, following a systemd upload which made this directory
only writable by root. Bug #1110980 was opened against systemd,
pointing out that FHS (and thus Debian Policy) has /var/lock as the
standard interface for system-wide locks of serial devices and
similar.

In the upstream discussion of the issue (
https://github.com/systemd/systemd/issues/38563 ) the systemd authors
declined to remain FHS-compliant, but rather noted that downstream
distributions might wish to arrange for systemd to create /var/lock
with appropriate permissions if they wish to. Nevertheless, #1110980
was closed "wontfix".

The TC is sympathetic to the argument that flock(2) is a superior
locking mechanism, and that an end-state where all existing software
that still uses locks in /var/lock is migrated to using flock(2)
instead would be desirable.

The Technical Committee notes that an important part of the role of
a Debian Developer is ensuring that software in Debian complies with
Debian Policy. That a particular upstream is not interested in FHS
compliance is not a sufficient reason for a Debian package to
disregard the FHS as it is incorporated into Debian Policy.

The TC therefore resolves that systemd shall provide /var/lock with
relaxed enough permissions that existing Debian software that uses
/var/lock for system-wide locks of serial devices (and similar
purposes) works again. The TC exercises its power under constitution
#6.1.4 to overrule the systemd maintainers in this regard.

This change to systemd must persist until a satisfactory migration
of impacted software has occurred and Policy updated accordingly.

Thanks,

Matthew, for the Technical Committee

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Thread

Bug#1115317: advice for using /var/lock (which is a link to /run/lock) (#1110981) Thorsten Alteholz <debian@alteholz.de> - 2025-09-15 16:50 +0200
  Bug#1115317: advice for using /var/lock (which is a link to /run/lock) (#1110981) Bdale Garbee <bdale@gag.com> - 2025-09-15 19:10 +0200
  Bug#1115317: advice for using /var/lock (which is a link to /run/lock) (#1110981) Matthew Vernon <matthew@debian.org> - 2025-09-24 11:10 +0200
    Bug#1115317: advice for using /var/lock (which is a link to /run/lock) (#1110981) Marco d'Itri <md@Linux.IT> - 2025-09-25 19:30 +0200
      Bug#1115317: Draft Ballot Re: Bug#1115317: advice for using /var/lock (which is a link to /run/lock) (#1110981) Matthew Vernon <matthew@debian.org> - 2025-09-29 19:10 +0200
        Bug#1115317: Draft Ballot Re: Bug#1115317: advice for using /var/lock (which is a link to /run/lock) (#1110981) Matthew Vernon <matthew@debian.org> - 2025-09-30 00:10 +0200
  Bug#1115317: call for votes Matthew Vernon <matthew@debian.org> - 2025-10-02 15:30 +0200
    Bug#1115317: call for votes Matthew Vernon <matthew@debian.org> - 2025-10-02 15:40 +0200
      Bug#1115317: call for votes Paul Tagliamonte <paultag@debian.org> - 2025-10-03 15:30 +0200
    Bug#1115317: call for votes Stefano Rivera <stefanor@debian.org> - 2025-10-04 18:00 +0200
    Bug#1115317: call for votes Timo Röhling <roehling@debian.org> - 2025-10-05 13:20 +0200
    Bug#1115317: call for votes Matthew Garrett <mjg59@srcf.ucam.org> - 2025-10-06 19:10 +0200
    Bug#1115317: call for votes Helmut Grohne <helmut@subdivi.de> - 2025-10-06 23:50 +0200
    Bug#1115317: call for votes Christoph Berg <myon@debian.org> - 2025-10-07 14:50 +0200
  Bug#1115317: call for votes Craig <csmall@debian.org> - 2025-10-06 23:00 +0200
    Bug#1115317: call for votes Matthew Vernon <matthew@debian.org> - 2025-10-06 23:30 +0200
  Bug#1115317: Technical Committee resolution on /var/lock and systemd Matthew Vernon <matthew@debian.org> - 2025-10-07 11:10 +0200
    Bug#1110980: Bug#1115317: Technical Committee resolution on /var/lock and systemd Simon Josefsson <simon@josefsson.org> - 2025-10-07 14:00 +0200
      Bug#1110980: Bug#1115317: Technical Committee resolution on /var/lock and systemd Santiago Vila <sanvila@debian.org> - 2025-10-07 14:30 +0200
      Bug#1110980: Bug#1115317: Technical Committee resolution on /var/lock and systemd Helmut Grohne <helmut@subdivi.de> - 2025-10-07 19:30 +0200
        Bug#1115317: Technical Committee resolution on /var/lock and systemd Simon Josefsson <simon@josefsson.org> - 2025-10-07 19:30 +0200
      Bug#1110980: Bug#1115317: Technical Committee resolution on /var/lock and systemd Marco d'Itri <md@Linux.IT> - 2025-10-07 22:10 +0200

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