[LEAPSECS] Olson tz "right" zoneinfo files

Tony Finch dot at dotat.at
Wed Aug 14 18:16:21 EDT 2013


The Olson tz distribution includes support for both POSIX standard time_t
and a TAI-style version. The zoneinfo tables for the latter are stored in
files with "right" in their names, which are often installed on systems
that include the tz code. This sometimes trips people up, for instance, as
in this conversation earlier today on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Habbie/status/367736238293647360

Those in the know know that the "right" zoneinfo files are wrong, but does
anyone know of a good document that explains why they are wrong? Even
better if it explains why the "right" files are still built and installed.

I saw a vague hint that in parallel with the early 1990s attempts to run
unix systems on TAI, there were attempts to do the same with NTP which
also failed. Anyone know of a good summary of that story?

Tony.
--
f.anthony.n.finch <dot at dotat.at> http://dotat.at/
Forties, Cromarty: East, veering southeast, 4 or 5, occasionally 6 at first.
Rough, becoming slight or moderate. Showers, rain at first. Moderate or good,
occasionally poor at first.


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