I have a Debian and an RPM package that requires a start/stop script to be added to the /etc/init.d directory. Recently, I was informed by a remote developer that "those in the know" know that "best practice" is to actually install the start up in the /etc/init.d directory rather than use symlinks, especially when the package could be installing on a different partition. I've always used symlinks. An "ls -la" shows a lot of packages use symlinks.
Is there a Unix/Linux guru out there can give a definitive answer as to what the best practice regarding start up scripts in the /etc/init.d directory. Is best practice symlink, hard link, actual file or does it really matter?
It would be great if you could cite a source. I have google this topic, but I'm unable to find an answer.
Best Answer
The LSB standards ( https://refspecs.linuxbase.org/LSB_2.1.0/LSB-generic/LSB-generic/initsrcinstrm.html ) state that it's acceptable for /etc/init.d scripts to be symbolic links:
But honestly, I think I've only ever seen 3rd party vendor applications use symbolic links.
Edit: Identical verbiage in the 3.0 specifications ( https://refspecs.linuxfoundation.org/LSB_3.0.0/LSB-generic/LSB-generic/initsrcinstrm.html )