Empty Files

Problem

An empty KeySet is passed to kdbSet(). What is the correct persistent representation?

Constraints

Assumptions

• User does not want empty files lying around everywhere.
• User wants to come back to a clean situation using Elektra

Considered Alternatives

• no file, no empty directories
• keep directories, remove configuration file
• plugins write minimal, syntactical-valid configuration file
• plugins do whatever they think is correct
• remember initial situation at mounting time and restore it when empty key is passed (seems inefficient and complicated?)

Decision

Remove files on empty KeySet.

Rationale

• allows user to undo what a previous kdbSet() did
• easy to understand semantics
• makes storage plugins easier (do not need to remove files)

Implications

• less empty files are left
• no invalid empty files (yajl bugs)

Related Decisions

Notes