about prefix to /usr/local instead /usr/local/apache

hey freebsd,

Do you know what's good doc for prefix to /usr/local instead prefix to /usr/local/apache, which it's Unix's standard and less problems?

Reason why I am asking, because I told one person that it's best to prefix to /usr/local instead /usr/local/apache.. He pointed me the doc at apache's website http://httpd.apache.org/docs/install.html .. I explained it to him almost same with my post at http://forums.devshed.com/showthrea...6206#post126206 ... He seems to not believe me, because of Apache's doc shows to prefix it to /usr/local/apache ..

BTW: if you aren't freebsd, but knew the answer then feel free to reply..

Thanks,
Mezz

>> which it's Unix's standard and less problems?

Only when that OS implements /usr/local, then all self-install or non system default stuffs should go into /usr/local (PREFIX).

>> He pointed me the doc at apache's website

Because majority of Apache is running on Linux, and those UNIX-illiterated people were told by their Linux distribution to mkdir apache dir under /usr/local and set the PREFIX to /usr/local/apache. Therefore, Apache's src has a config.layout file in its root directory for people to choose from. However, almost all the 3rd party modules, including mod_php, uses /usr/local as its default PREFIX.

>> He seems to not believe me

Then just let him choose whatever PREFIX. And when he faces a problem adding modules, do not help him.

Beside Apache, almost all software uses /usr/local. Within /usr/local, it's like a new root of your file system beside / directory. Imagine /usr/local is /, why should you mkdir a /apache in your root when /bin, /etc, /lib, /sbin and others already exist in the directory layout.
Say X software, its root usually is /usr/X11R6, and at least ./bin, ./include, ./lib and ./man are already in place. Say Apache relies on X, would you install Apache with a PREFIX of /usr/X11R6/apache or /usr/X11R6 and place your binary to /usr/X11R6/bin?
Finally, when whereis can't locate a binary automatically, that's non-standard. When you need to alter your default PATHs, that's also non-standard.

Hehe, somehow your post made him changed his mind.. Thanks for explain...

Thanks again,
Mezz

If you remember, when installing Apache in FreeBSD, it sets your docroot to /usr/local/www/data, this also violates FreeBSD's own hierachy standard because /usr/local/www should not be mkdir'ed in the first place.
Unfortunately the Apache port maintainer had to choose a default docroot. To bad, whatever he chooses would violate hierachy standard anyway.

Yeah, I already told him to setup a unique partition /www for docroot when he installed FreeBSD.. I ever did it to mine too...

Also, change pgSQL point to /var/db/pgsql same with mySQL in the /var/db area.. I learn from your post at http://forums.devshed.com/showthrea...5110&forumid=31 .. Oh, I will have to tell him to read man 7 hier for hier(7)

Cheers,
Mezz