Bigger process IDs and "dev_t"s (was: Re: RISC v. CISC...)

[Stephen J. Friedl]

In article <1988Oct31.183021.13880 at utzoo.uucp>, henry at utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer) writes:
> Clearly making dev_t 32 bits would make life easier,

In article <1023 at murtoa.cs.mu.oz.au>, kre at cs.mu.oz.au (Robert Elz) writes:
> yes, what's more maybe we could do away with major *numbers* completely
> and use major *names* instead.  16 bits would be enough space for a
> 2 character name (which the whole universe, almost, could just treat
> as a number).  (Yes, I know that 2 chars isn't great, but it does fit).
> 
> Imagine ...
> 
> 	brw-------  1 root       sd,   0 Oct 18 12:34 /dev/sd0a

I can see it now: /etc/devcap will describe what these things mean.

Then, someday, when two characters is simply not enough, we'll
have to bite the bullet and go to /etc/devinfo, complete with the
`dic' devinfo compiler.

     Steve :-)

-- 
Steve Friedl    V-Systems, Inc.  +1 714 545 6442    3B2-kind-of-guy
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