[clamav-users] Opinion wanted: Change default config directory usr/clamav

[Paul Kosinski]

On Sat, 31 Jul 2021 12:03:36 +0000
"Micah Snyder \(micasnyd\) via clamav-users" <clamav-users at lists.clamav.net> wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> I could use your opinion about a change we'd planned to make in 0.104. By request, I'd made this pull request to change the default directory for the config files from <prefix>/etc to <prefix>/etc/clamav. The purpose being to de-clutter /usr/local/etc: https://github.com/Cisco-Talos/clamav/pull/182
> 
> I procrastinated merging it for a long time because while it feels like a good change it will require a change to our test framework and would likely break scripts for other users as well. Some justification for the change at this time is that with the build system change to cmake, users will likely have to change the same scripts anyhow so we don't have any better time.
> 
> Unfortunately, I procrastinated it so hard I forgot to merge it before the first release candidate. Now, I can't decide if it's right to merge it before the second release candidate or throw it away. I would like your opinion.
> 
> Regards,
> Micah


When are started using ClamAV (<= 0.88.4), I built it in "/opt". Since then, it's always in "/opt/clamav.d/clamav.0.major.minor" with a symbolic link like "/opt/clamav -> /opt/clamav.d/clamav.0.103.3". This allows me to keep previous versions easily accessible in case of a problem.

The only real problem I remember having was when the latest version of libclamav wasn't compatible with the current version of HAVP (which I also build from source into "/opt" in the same manner). Fortunately, HAVP was updated soon after, but it allowed me to scan email with the latest ClamAV while keeping HAVP working adequately.

P.S. I tend to think "/opt" is preferable to "/usr" for software like ClamAV, at least until Linux distributors keep them up to date more diligently (as befits security software), so users don't have to build them on their own,