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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Linus Torvalds Injects Tabs To Thwart Kconfig Parsers Not Correctly Handling Them (www.phoronix.com)

submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Linus Torvalds added hidden tabs to Kconfig to challenge parsers that can't handle them.
Tabs were intentionally added to the common Kconfig file for page sizes to expose faulty parsers.
Torvalds believes parsers unable to handle tabs shouldn't be parsing kernel Kconfig files, aiming to force fixes.

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[–] [email protected] 40 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I do the same to people who refuse to follow specifications they agreed to follow.

There is a slight satisfaction to get back at them for continually delivering much lower quality than is required.

But it really is to cover me. Because, it always happens, later in the future that edge case comes up, and everything breaks. And management is ready to blame me. But then I show them that I tested the edge case before the conclusion of the project. And that programmer ignored my emails, and that I told management these edge cases weren't covered. But then management signed off on calling it complete. And suddenly management is no longer red with fury. And they usually won't allow me time to fix it. So the can gets kicked down the road until the next time that edge case fails.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Me: "This is the file format we agree on."
They: "Yep, that's what you'll get."

They: "Why is your script not working?"
Me: "Idk what was the last file you put through it?"

In their defense, they got the file from a third party that we both previously assumed competent enough to follow explicit written instructions. Guess there's a lesson in trust...