Shared libraries [LWN.net]

Shared libraries

Posted Nov 25, 2025 18:10 UTC (Tue) by Cyberax (✭ supporter ✭, #52523)
In reply to: Shared libraries by LtWorf
Parent article: APT Rust requirement raises questions

> 1 process per machine is hardly a common usecase.

I would argue that "few processes per machine" is one of the most common use-cases, because BusyBox systems are like that. And they probably outnumber all other Linuxes except Android.

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Shared libraries

Posted Nov 25, 2025 21:52 UTC (Tue) by Wol (subscriber, #4433) [Link] (3 responses)

Given that the majority of computers are single-user, with said user running a single app full-screen, I'd say IN PRACTICE pretty much all computers are only running one app at a time from the user's PoV.

Cheers,
Wol

Shared libraries

Posted Nov 26, 2025 23:16 UTC (Wed) by LtWorf (subscriber, #124958) [Link] (2 responses)

Uh?

Processes in linux keep running even if they are not owning the windows which has focus.

I don't understand what you're trying to say here.

Shared libraries

Posted Nov 27, 2025 8:03 UTC (Thu) by Wol (subscriber, #4433) [Link] (1 responses)

Speaking on behalf of the users - "What's a process?"

All the *user* cares about is the *single* application which is currently running.

I've lost the context, but iirc it was something about how computers that only run one program at a time are very much a minority. From our PoV as computer guys looking at all the stuff going on in the background that may be true, but from the user's PoV pretty much *every* computer is *single use*.

It's glaringly obvious as soon as you realise, when you're talking about processes, that your typical computer user won't have a clue what you're talking about.

Cheers,
Wol

Shared libraries

Posted Nov 27, 2025 8:59 UTC (Thu) by LtWorf (subscriber, #124958) [Link]

They might not know what a process is, but they will know if their music stops when they aren't looking at the player, or if the chat notifications stop working.

Anyway, we all know here what a process is. Why do we care if some people who aren't participating in the discussion aren't aware of that? How is that relevant?