call for votes on default Linux init system for jessie

To: debian-ctte@lists.debian.org

Subject: call for votes on default Linux init system for jessie

From: Bdale Garbee <bdale@gag.com>

Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 11:00:40 -0700

Message-id: <87wqhoosaf.fsf@rover.gag.com>

I've spent much of the last few days pondering the current state of the TC's init system debate, and what our next step(s) should be. The original question posed to us in bug #727708 was to "vote on and decide the default init system for Debian". Two things have become clear to me in the ensuing discussion. First, the best choice for our Linux-based architectures may not be the best choice for our non-Linux architectures, so trying to decide a on single default init system for all possible Debian architectures may not make sense. I agree that philosophically it would be nice if this worked, but as the Linux kernel and relevant applications continue to evolve new capabilities at a rate different from the other kernels we attend to, this feels like it's becoming more of a challenge over time. Second, even within our Linux architectures, it seems that there can be compelling reasons to choose an alternative init system for some target environments. This leads me to want to let Debian's normal processes of competition and selection work to the greatest extent possible, enabling those who are interested to pursue and maintain alternative init systems at whatever level of functionality is necessary to meet their needs. After reviewing Ian's current ballot draft in our repository, I believe that trying to drive such a ballot forward to a TC vote would be be difficult. This leads me to consider a different approach to try and get things rolling productively again. I propose we take the simplest possible "next step". Let's vote just on the question of what the default init system for Linux architectures should be in jessie. Once we have an answer to this question, it seems to me that we would be "over the hump" and more likely to be able to re-focus our attention on all the secondary questions, like what our transition plan should be, whether we should try to dictate a default for non-Linux architectures, how and to what extent alternate init systems should be supported, and so forth. Most importantly, we could start *collaborating* again... which is something I fervently wish for! Therefore, I call for votes on the following ballot. If any of you feel that this is the wrong way to proceed, feel free to vote further discussion above all other options. I would appreciate votes from all TC members on this ballot as soon as possible, at least before the end of January. Ballot: The default init system for Linux architectures in jessie should be 1. systemd 2. upstart 3. openrc 4. sysvinit (no change) 5. requires further discussion. Regards, Bdale