Gentoo says "config files in /etc need updating" 6 15

If you use Gentoo Linux, you may become familiar with seeing messages such as:

 * IMPORTANT: 26 config files in '/etc' need updating.

 * See the CONFIGURATION FILES section of the emerge

 * man page to learn how to update config files.

I finally visited that man page, and indeed it tells you what you need to know. Basically, Gentoo does not want to automatically overwrite configuration files that you may have tweaked manually when portage installs a new software package. So, instead, portage writes a modified configuration file.

You can find all the config files that need to be updated by going to /etc and entering (as root is best):

# find . -name "._cfg*"

For me, today, this returns:

./ssh/._cfg0000_sshd_config

./ssh/._cfg0000_moduli

./ssh/._cfg0000_ssh_config

./logrotate.d/._cfg0000_elog-save-summary

./._cfg0000_ca-certificates.conf

./._cfg0000_locale.gen

./._cfg0000_wgetrc

./._cfg0000_login.defs

./security/._cfg0000_namespace.init

./security/._cfg0000_limits.conf

./._cfg0000_nanorc

./pam.d/._cfg0000_sshd

./pam.d/._cfg0000_login

./fonts/conf.avail/._cfg0000_40-nonlatin.conf

./fonts/conf.avail/._cfg0000_45-latin.conf

./fonts/conf.avail/._cfg0000_65-nonlatin.conf

./fonts/conf.avail/._cfg0000_69-unifont.conf

./fonts/conf.avail/._cfg0000_60-latin.conf

./fonts/conf.avail/._cfg0000_65-fonts-persian.conf

./fonts/conf.avail/._cfg0000_25-unhint-nonlatin.conf

./._cfg0000_mke2fs.conf

./._cfg0000_man.conf

./init.d/._cfg0000_crypto-loop

./bash/._cfg0000_bashrc

./._cfg0000_gai.conf

./udev/._cfg0000_udev.conf

For each .cfg0000_FILEXXX file name in the list, Gentoo is telling you that you have a FILEXXX configuration file that needs to be updated, due to your recent installs. Rather than overwriting your previous file, Gentoo provides you with the opportunity to examine the new config file, compare it with your current file, and update your current file as you deem fit.

For me, in most cases, the correct solution is to just copy the new ._cfg0000_FILEXXX file to FILEXXX. But, it's kind of nice that Gentoo respects your system and your desire to create and maintain a certain configuration that is best suited to your needs.

I like that about Gentoo!

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