[gentoo-dev] Methods for managing etc files.

[Jeff Kowing]

I was interested in any methods or techniques that gentoo folks have
found useful in helping to manage their /etc configuration files.

One particular problem I have is when I do an update that affects lots
of /etc files.  After the emerge I have lots of ._cfg* files to go
through.  I know there is no magical method, but I was
looking for some way to do something like the following:

1.  Auto replace all /etc files that I have not personally modified
    with the new ._cfg* file.

2.  Do the usual ._cfg* thing when I have previously modified the
    original /etc file.  Then, as normal, at my convenience I can use
    etc-update and/or my favorite merge tool to take care of those.

I know there are merge tools that could detect this sort of thing
based upon the ancestor version of the /etc file.  Or, I imagine there
are fairly straight forward ways to make a list before the emerge of
which /etc/ files have been modified and and which have not.  That
list could then be used by another script after the emerge to decide
which /etc files may be automatically replaced.

But before I try doing this sort of thing, maybe someone already has
done this?  

(By the way, I know about CONFIG_PROTECT and CONFIG_PROTECT_MASK, but,
I don't really see how they could achieve what I'm looking for.
Besides, I believe they only operate on directories rather than
invidual files).

Thanks for any advice.

-- 
Jeff Kowing
jeffrey.d.kowing@××××.gov

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