Here's an example of how a comment can have
un-intended consequences.
edwardb wrote:... for explaining the damaging nature of the .pet files i install using the Package Manager. What you said makes sense. Up to now, i assumed installing .pets were guaranteed SAFE for the system. i guess i'm sorely mistaken ...
I'm sure that Q5sys was attempting to share a reason why one developer might prefer to use a SFS versus using a PET. Namely, if a SFS is used, it reduces the system effort that a developer would need to address in testing of the product that is being added to the running system. Simply SFSs can be installed in a layered fashion, while PETs are installed via PPM and insert directly into the OS. Problems do NOT ALWAYs occur and in some very-rare occasions, a module may get misplaced. (Without going into particulars, something similar could,
again rare as well, could happen with SFS use which would require the developer to do research to understand.)
PET development produces the same functionality within the distro where its REPO presents it via PPM. And, PETs understanding is built-into the PUPs in each's PPM.
For the most part, excepting for one recent occasion in all of my Puppy years, I have had no issues in PET use. Further, in all cases where a developer has produced a PET and an SFS, I have never had a problem. This doesn't address which to use. Its just one experience.
There are concerns on both sides of the fence for either of these 2 approaches that add functionality to a running distro. But, Puppy's PPM has a long history with PETs in system integration, while the SFS have had 2 specific tools added to Puppyland to assist understanding users in SFS manipulation(s).
I don't think Q5sys intended to alarm users in their use of PPM/PETs or anything of such.
None of us should shy away from PET development in fear because i don't believe he intended such.
All developers should take into account that both PETs (used in PPM) and SFS (used by 3 other system facilities) add functionality to a given distro (assuming you are using its DEVX). And, also, its easy for any one of us to see that a PET's size and a SFS's size is not "dramatically" different. (I have a specific example where a distro developer made both a PET and an SFS and the PET is actually smaller that the SFS. And, there are other sizings where the PET and SFS are of equal sizing)
We are all here to try to help each other.