Need libstdc++.so.5

[gapan]

Why is libstdc++ version 5 removed from repository?

It was not removed. It was upgraded (years ago probably) to a newer version.

Is it essential that older version of software have to be removed once newer version is available?

Yes.

Frankly, it took me less than a minute to get this program running in Debian, while it took more than 2 days for SalixOS.

That's because it was made for running specifically in Debian. Again, that's what you get with proprietary software.

One slackware based linux distribution claims to be able to download and convert packages from other repositories, including Debian, to solve this problem:
http://www.porteus.org/component/conten ... dules.html
Can such a thing possible with SalixOS, which I am finding a very smooth, fast and convenient distribution.

Right, and because they claim to do that, you think it actually works? It may work, some times. But it is bound to be completely unreliable as mimosa pointed out. Do that with the wrong package and you are very likely to break your system beyond repair.

Regarding the specific question of older versions of libraries, while their presence should be harmless

No, it wouldn't be harmless. When keeping older versions of libraries, you're also keeping all bugs these old versions had including their security vulnerabilities.

[rsal]

That's because it was made for running specifically in Debian.

I do not think that is true. In Debian also the application complained of lack of libstdc++.so.5 but I could install the library in a minute from the repository.

When keeping older versions of libraries, you're also keeping all bugs these old versions had including their security vulnerabilities.

The distribution/repository should simply give a warning to users/installers and leave to them to take it or not. The distribution could also provide tools for detection/removal/uninstallation of old versions from the system. More users complain of lack of availability of software rather than security vulnerabilities.

[mimosa]

More users complain of lack of availability of software rather than security vulnerabilities.

Slackware caters for users who prefer stability (not the same issue as security, though the latter overlaps with the former). As I said above, there is also the issue of sheer size of a distribution.

When keeping older versions of libraries, you're also keeping all bugs these old versions had including their security vulnerabilities.

I don't mean using them, I just mean having the relevant bits around (perhaps as part of a package) if needed in a special case. Nothing is pointing at those files except the special case application (as with ghc). So they won't affect the smooth running of everything else that uses the default, newer version.

[rsal]

there is also the issue of sheer size of a distribution.

Having packages in the repository does not mean they have to be put in downloadable default installations. The number of packages in the repository of a distribution is an important feature that users note while deciding on their choice: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison ... stallation

[laprjns]

Whoa, lets go back to the first page and cxxlibs:

This package contains the shared libraries needed to run dynamically
linked C++ binaries linked with older versions of libstdc++.

Code: Select all

rich[3Dviewer_VE_Linux]$ ./3Dviewer_VE 
./3Dviewer_VE: error while loading shared libraries: libstdc++.so.5: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory

Code: Select all

root[3Dviewer_VE_Linux]# slapt-get --se cxxlibs
cxxlibs-6.0.18-i486-1 [inst=no]: cxxlibs (C++ shared library compatibility package)

Code: Select all

root[3Dviewer_VE_Linux]# slapt-get --install  cxxlibs
Reading Package Lists...Done
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  cxxlibs 
0 upgraded, 0 reinstalled, 1 newly installed, 0 to remove, 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 3.0kB/380.0kB of archives.
After unpacking 1.6MB of additional disk space will be used.

Preparing to install cxxlibs-6.0.18-i486-1
Installing package cxxlibs-6.0.18-i486-1...

Code: Select all

root[3Dviewer_VE_Linux]# slapt-get --filelist cxxlibs
/usr/
/usr/lib/
/usr/lib/libstdc++.so.5.0.7
/usr/lib/libstdc++.so.6.0.18

Code: Select all

rich[3Dviewer_VE_Linux]$ ./3Dviewer_VE

[rsal]

I did not know that libstdc++.so.5 is there in cxxlibs (please see discussion on first page).