[Info-vax] Desirable features for VMS

[Dave Froble]

On 1/25/2024 8:21 AM, Simon Clubley wrote:
> On 2024-01-24, Dave Froble <davef at tsoft-inc.com> wrote:
>> On 1/24/2024 8:13 AM, Simon Clubley wrote:
>>> On 2024-01-23, Dave Froble <davef at tsoft-inc.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> What is really rude is talking about Linux on c.o.v ...
>>>>
>>>
>>> Unless you consider VMS to be perfect and not in need of any improvement,
>>> other operating systems offer some good ideas that it would be nice to
>>> see in VMS, especially around security and internal isolation in general.
>>>
>>
>> Then discuss the ideas and concepts ...
>>
>
> OK.

I've been reading the posts on this topic for a while.  What I think is that any 
such ideas and concepts might need to be divided into two categories, 1) 
workstation/user interface/development/etc, and 2) production.  And so, some 
comments.

> A random sample of things from Linux/Unix I would like to see in VMS:
>
> Mandatory Access Controls (my preference) or jails (Stephen's preference).
>
> A shell with decent modern functionality such as:
>
> 	Proper command history retention and merging from multiple sessions
> 	Easy searching of command history
> 	Tab completion
> 	Editing long command lines
> 	Globbing

Here is where I have to ask, what is the actual worth of the above, and is it 
worth doing?

For any production system, is any of the above helpful?  I'd say not helpful. 
On any production system, normal operations would all be in command files. 
Never anything that required some person to come into work and start or modify 
any processes.  After all, what happens to production in such an implementation 
when that person gets run over by a bus?

Would the above be useful in a workstation/user interface/development and such 
system?  Absolutely.  Is VSI in any position to devote resources to such? 
Absolutely not.  Took years for the x86 port, which is still not complete.

Be a bit reasonable Simon ...


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David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
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