linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH 3/4] security/selinux: decrement sizeof size in strncmp

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Message-ID: <4AFE5A20.20608@schaufler-ca.com>
Date:	Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:20:00 -0800
From:	Casey Schaufler <casey@...aufler-ca.com>
To:	Joe Perches <joe@...ches.com>
CC:	David Wagner <daw-news@...erner.cs.berkeley.edu>,
	linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org,
	Casey Schaufler <casey@...aufler-ca.com>
Subject: Re: [PATCH 3/4] security/selinux: decrement sizeof size in strncmp

Joe Perches wrote:
> On Fri, 2009-11-13 at 21:12 -0800, Casey Schaufler wrote: 
>   
>> Joe Perches wrote:
>>     
>>> On Sat, 2009-11-14 at 03:44 +0000, David Wagner wrote:
>>>       
>>>> I personally don't find
>>>>     strncmp(foo, "constant", sizeof("constant"))        // first snippet
>>>> to be more readable, auditable, or obviously correct than
>>>>     strcmp(foo, "constant").                            // second snippet
>>>> Is there a technical basis for arguing that the first
>>>> snippet is better than the second snippet?
>>>>         
>>> I don't think there is.
>>>       
>> And you're exactly correct.
>> This whole discussion is around a gratuitous
>> change that has no net effect on the behavior of the system.
>>     
>
> It has relatively little or no effect on a
> running system, but does effect code
> readability.
>
>   
>> I am advocating that the code be left as is.
>>     
>
> I assert that code should be made as readable
> as possible and that the code used fit the
> reader's expectations.
>
> strcmp(foo, "BAR") is natural.
> strncmp(foo, "BAR", sizeof("BAR")) is unnatural
> and should not be used.
>
>   

Oh good gravy. I've been writing C code since the 1970's and
have seen enough "unnatural" code to make most people think that
PASCAL was a good idea. This is not unnatural code. This is an
argument over which side of the head of the pin the odd angel
should dance on. Give it up. You're advocating a gratuitous
change. Can't y'all go find some questionable casts to expunge?
That might actually be useful.

> cheers, Joe
>
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