Re: Installation of Sheperd under Linux from Scratch

[Felix Lechner]

Hi Andreas,

On Sun, Jun 25, 2023 at 1:48 AM Andreas Buchter
<andreas.buchter4321@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I would like to install/use Shepherd as an init system under LFS (Linux from 
> Scratch)

Woa, that's a blast from the past! [1] You will learn a lot about
Linux, but please make sure not to give up and go back to Winblows.

For starters, please allow me to commend you for considering the
Shepherd as your init system. I witnessed some of the init system
controversies and believe the Shepherd has what it takes to unseat
Systemd, at least among the aficionados on this mailing list.

At the same time, any init system must be able to start the services
you need. (The most important is probably a getty, for logging in.)
The service definitions that currently exist in GNU Guile may not be
very useful to you as a user of LFS.

They are written in GNU Guile—which you already have when using the
Shepherd—but the service definitions refer to Guix package variables
as well as a bunch of Scheme routines that ship with the GNU Guix
operating system. I think you may have to rewrite substantial portions
of the service definitions.

The Shepherd will ultimately stand on its own, but that may take time.

Meanwhile, you could start by experimenting with the GNU Guix
operating system. You would learn plenty of Scheme, which you will
need anyway in order to configure the Shepherd. One day, you may be
able to port the Shepherd to LFS and help provide guidance to your
fellow "scratchers".

LFS has the stated goal to teach "about all that makes Linux tick, how
things work together and depend on each other." GNU Guix will also
offer you plenty of opportunities to learn.  In fact, we probably have
the second steepest learning curve (after Nix). Thankfully there is
also a great and helpful community that will try to offer any
assistance you may require.

Kind regards
Felix

[1] https://linuxfromscratch.org/lfs/downloads/10.0/LFS-BOOK-10.0.pdf