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Re: The Kernel Headers Issue


> The current kernel headers -> glibc relationship is unclear. Kernel folk
> keep on saying "don't include kernel headers in userspace". The glibc FAQ
> says "The headers from the most recent Linux kernel should be used."

There are two separate issues here.  First is what Linux kernel headers you
use to compile glibc itself.  For that, you do want the most recent headers
you can get (2.6.0-test1 or whatever).  If you use older headers, you will
compile a glibc that won't even try to use some newer kernel features if
you use those glibc binaries on a newer kernel later on.  You want the
newest headers so that the glibc you build supports the full range of Linux
kernel features you might find (it will not require newer kernels unless
you use --enable-kernel=VERSION, but it will take advantage of newer
features when they are available).  

Second is what kernel headers to have installed alongside glibc's headers
for compiling user programs.  This is where packages like glibc-kernheaders
are most useful.  But, as kernel folks say, users should not be worrying
about this since they should only be using the glibc headers and leaving
the inclusion of kernel headers (or not) to those glibc wrapper headers.


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