Re: GPL-less alternatives to the Audit Userland
Some details on why Google is as finicky as they are with (L)GPL code
is located at http://source.android.com/source/licenses.html. The
executive summary is that because device manufacturers use static
system images on read-only partitions, they cannot comply fully with
(even) the LGPL. I am unsure of a more detailed reason and from here
can only speculate.
From discussions I have had there is a bit more leniency with the
Android Open Source Project's external project space (source code
included but not necessarily pre-compiled with the OS images) for C
code (versus C++) but the situation sounds like they still don't find
it ideal. Again, I can only speculate on why. Even with the
reservations, they still seem receptive of the changes.
The current discussion thread is located at
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/android-contrib/mi2l8ln_O-I
Cheers,
Nathaniel
On Mon, Aug 20, 2012 at 3:55 PM, Steve Grubb <sgrubb(a)redhat.com> wrote:
On Monday, August 20, 2012 02:33:36 PM Nathaniel Husted wrote:
> For a while I've been working on a project that ports/forks Audit to
> the Android platform (https://github.com/nwhusted/AuditdAndroid). I
> currently have a proof of concept in operation and I am working on
> getting the relevant kernel code back-patched and the userland code
> integrated in Android. One of the primary issues raised at the moment
> is the Android Open Source Project code base is not compatible with
> GPL code. I am currently unaware of any userland audit interface that
> is not under the GPL. I was wondering if anyone on the list knew of
> any, if they even exist? Any information is much appreciated.
libaudit is under LGPL which gives you as much latitude as Glibc. The Linux
kernel itself is GPLv2. So, what's the problem with GPL on Android?
-Steve