Using TMPFS for /tmp and /var/run?

[Steve Kargl]

On Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 05:56:06PM +0000, Chris Rees wrote:
> On 30 March 2012 17:31, C. P. Ghost <cpghost at cordula.ws> wrote:
> > On Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 3:18 PM,  <sthaug at nethelp.no> wrote:
> >>> > However, if you always want to use tmpfs instead of stable storage,
> >>> please do not.  Some people expect /tmp to be persistent.  This is why
> >>> /etc/defaults/rc.conf has clear_tmp_enable="NO".  Changing this would break
> >>> the POLA.
> >>> >
> >>> This is a mistake.
> >>>
> >>> The default should be clear_tmp_enable="YES"
> >>> if only to uncover those broken configurations that expect /tmp to be
> >>> persistent.
> >>
> >> If you want to break POLA and make a lot of people angry, sure.
> >> Otherwise no.
> >
> > I couldn't agree more. Not clearing /tmp on reboot has been
> > the norm for way too long and it is too late to change now.
> > It's not just POLA, it also involves deleting data of unaware
> > users, and that should be avoided.
> >
> > Anyone willing to change policy w.r.t. /tmp can do so on their
> > own machines. Nothing is preventing them from doing so.
> > But by changing defaults, one should err on the side of
> > caution and remain conservative, IMHO.

Well stated.

> 
> >From man hier:
> 
> /tmp/      temporary files that are not guaranteed to persist across
> system reboots

There is also a difference between "not guaranteed to persist"
and knowingly blowing the files away by explictly clearing
/tmp.

PS:
  How many users of FreeBSD know that hier(7) exists?
  How many new users even know about man pages?

-- 
Steve