[arch-general] Proposal: add "--disable-modern-top" to procps-ng configure flags

Jonathon Fernyhough jonathon at manjaro.org
Sat Dec 9 15:39:46 UTC 2017


# Background

procps-ng [1] introduced a new default interface layout for `top` with
version 3.3.10 which switched the "traditional" list display of
processes ordered by CPU usage to a red text-based tree of processes
ordered by PID (with root on 'systemd').


# Rationale

The "modern" default interface:

* requires user configuration to make usable;
* uses low-contrast text;
* is not consistent with other distros;
* has caused confusion to Arch users [2].

This change would:

* make `top` usable by default;
* make `top` more accessible by default (high contrast text);
* ease transition for new Arch users;
* maintain consistency of a 'base' tool behaviour with other distros.


# Precedent

'--disable-modern-top' is used by Debian [3] and Fedora [4] (and hence
all derivative distros).


# Change

See PKGBUILD attachment at
https://bugs.archlinux.org/task/56639?getfile=15944


# Impact of change

Default interface is reverted to "traditional" display. No effect on
functionality or users with existing .toprc. Comparison screenshots are
available on the Manjaro forum thread [5].

# Maintenance burden

None beyond change to configure flag in PKGBUILD.


# Links

[1] https://gitlab.com/procps-ng/procps
[2] https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=189757
[3]
https://anonscm.debian.org/cgit/collab-maint/procps.git/tree/debian/rules#n37
[4]
https://src.fedoraproject.org/rpms/procps-ng/blob/master/f/procps-ng.spec#_113
[5]
https://forum.manjaro.org/t/new-procps-ng-with-traditional-top-display/36119





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