bug#24502: [PATCH] libparted: Show partition boundaries in sectors by default

----- Original Message -----
From: "Phil Susi" <[email protected]>
To: "John Pittman" <[email protected]>, [email protected]
Cc: [email protected], [email protected]
Sent: Friday, October 14, 2016 9:18:31 AM
Subject: Re: bug#24502: [PATCH] libparted: Show partition boundaries in sectors by default

On 9/21/2016 3:22 PM, John Pittman wrote:
> In parted, by default, we print disk size and partition
> boundaries in compact form.  As partition boundaries fall
> on sector boundaries, this is not useful for administration
> and should be changed.  This patch changes the default_unit

>> No?  People don't care about the exact sector; they think in GB.

At initial creation people will still use whatever unit they care about,
whether it be GB, MB, or TB (or sectors).  But they'll be specifying the units by hand. 
Likely not even using the print function until the end and possibly not at all (creation
done through kickstart)

This patch is not about creating however, it's about printing, which indicates a need
to "look back" at the partition structure.  Whether admins are troubleshooting performance, 
a missing partition, a misaligned partition, the need will be to make adjustments in sectors, 
therefore the need will be to view the boundaries in sectors.  The operating system and the 
software layers atop it (clustering & lvm for example) care about sectors and so should we.

To have the precursory knowledge to know that one needs to manipulate a partition boundary 
also suggest the knowledge to know that the manipulation should be done in sectors.  All
else will bring unexpected results.  The majority of users of this tool are administrators
for servers, not desktop users (desktop users would likey use a gui tool)

> Many partition tools have already migrated to default sector
> use. It offers a 'one-stop-shop' through parted -l, and
> aligns more closely with the needs of partition
> administration activities.

>> How do you figure that?

The latest fdisk packages print in sectors by default.  They do however, similar
to my patch proposal, provide the whole disk size in B, s, and some other user
friendly unit.  My colleagues and I are all in linux storage support/maintenance
engineering; my claims regarding alignment with the needs of administration are based on 
direct observation of everyday administration issues as seen by our customers.

>> Nobody thinks about what sector they want the partition to start and end on.

I'd argue the opposite, if someone is thinking about partition boundaries, they 
would not be thinking about what MB boundary it falls on, at least not for long.
They'd realize quickly that they need sectors to have any certainty that the 
changes they are making are correct.

For whole disk size the compact print is great, that's why I've included it in the patch, 
but for boundary location printing, sectors should be used are are far more useful.

Additionally, we should, as people providing/supporting these products/services promote 
sector use, not steer users away from it.