Re: [patch #6797] shred option to use internal RNG

[hggdh]

On Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:14:42 +0200
Jim Meyering <address@hidden> wrote:

> Someone asked the same question not long ago.
> here's the thread:
> 
>   http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.comp.gnu.coreutils.bugs/15581
> 
> Quick answer:
> 
>   How about
> 
>     --random-source=FILE
> 
>   where FILE contains a bunch of random data,
>   like a chunk from the middle of a well-compressed tarball?
>   Or even this:
> 
>     --random-source=/dev/zero

Indeed this works; nevertheless there are some potential issues:

(1) the "FILE" will have to be a pipe for very large shredded files; so
we are pretty much not really helping, since we are leaving to the user
the task of setting it up. I can see this as an additional option, but
I also feel that we should provide a basic, workable, one;
(2) --random-source=/dev/zero will bypass (1), but will defeat the idea
of a random shredding;
(3) finally -- and more critical, perhaps -- the new default for
--iteractions forces *all* three (default) passes to be random.

I have been trying to figure a way of getting this done with minimal
changes, but have not yet succeeded (well, part of the issue is having
the time to dedicate to it).

Cheers,

..hggdh..

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