Wishful thinking

>> Expecting any but the most skilled developers to remember that fsync()
>> when omitting it has *no visible negative consequence* in normal
>> operation is a complete and total pipe-dream.
>
> The no negative visible consequence applies to one file system in one
> mode _only_ (and according to some, not even on it all the time). The
> rest - it depends.

I repeat: omitting fsync() has no negative visible consequence *in normal
operation* on *any* POSIX-compliant system. Turning off the power or
locking up the box is *not* 'normal operation'.

I know of no developers of anything other than full-blown databases who do
anything like that to test their programs. Thus, for nearly all programs,
omitting fsync() is harmless during the development and testing phase.
Thus, it will regularly be omitted, *no matter what* you might wish.

... and, um, changing POSIX really isn't that hard. Make a good case that
some behaviour is common enough and POSIX will bend. The Austin Group is
populated with normal human beings^W^Wraging pedants like you or I, not
gods. (There are some demigods there, though.)

It is quite possible to convince them that a change is needed, and POSIX
regularly changes semantics in new release.