F43 Change Proposal: Fontconfig cache directory change (self-contained)

Wiki - https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/ManDbCacheDirChange
Discussion thread -
https://discussion.fedoraproject.org/t/f43-change-proposal-fontconfig-cache-directory-change-self-contained/160773

This is a proposed Change for Fedora Linux.
This document represents a proposed Change. As part of the Changes
process, proposals are publicly announced in order to receive
community feedback. This proposal will only be implemented if approved
by the Fedora Engineering Steering Committee.

== Summary ==
The man-db cache files are placed in/var/cache/man now. This seems
incompatible with the ostree model, so this is a proposal to move it
to /usr/lib/man/cache. This is also heavily requested for
[https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2339038 image-mode]

== Owner ==
* Name: [[User:ljavorsk| Lukas Javorsky]]
* Email: ljavorsk@redhat.com


== Detailed Description ==
Currently, the man-db cache files are stored in `/var/cache/man`,
which works fine in traditional setups. However, this location doesn't
play well with the OSTree model, where `/var` is often treated
differently or even shared across deployments. To make man-db more
compatible with OSTree-based systems, this proposal suggests moving
the cache files to `/usr/lib/man/cache` instead. That way, the cache
can live alongside the rest of the read-only system content managed by
the image, avoiding issues with `/var`. This change is also something
that's been heavily
[https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2339038 requested] by
people working with image-mode deployments, where managing everything
within `/usr` is generally preferred.


== Feedback ==

== Benefit to Fedora ==
Image-Mode is requesting this so it can make use of it since the
`/var` directory is restricted for
[https://bootc-dev.github.io/bootc/filesystem.html#var other use].

Similar approach was done in the fontconfig package (described in this
[https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/FontconfigCacheDirChange
Fedora Change].


== Scope ==
* Proposal owners: Rebuild the man-db package with the changes to the
proposed cache directory.

* Other developers: N/A (not a System Wide Change)

* Release engineering: N/A (not a System Wide Change)

* Policies and guidelines: N/A (not needed for this Change)

* Trademark approval: N/A (not needed for this Change)

* Alignment with the Fedora Strategy: YES


== Upgrade/compatibility impact ==


== How To Test ==
The /usr/lib/man/cache should exist and be used for the man-db cache.
The previously used /var/cache/man should not be used at all.

== User Experience ==
N/A (not a System Wide Change)

== Dependencies ==
N/A (not a System Wide Change)


== Contingency Plan ==
Revert the changes to place the caches at /var/cache/man.

* Contingency mechanism: N/A (not a System Wide Change)
* Contingency deadline: N/A (not a System Wide Change)
* Blocks release? N/A (not a System Wide Change)


== Documentation ==
N/A (not a System Wide Change)

N/A (not a System Wide Change)

== Release Notes ==
The place of the man-db caches has been moved from /var/cache/man to
/usr/lib/man/cache.

--
Aoife Moloney

Fedora Operations Architect

Fedora Project

Matrix: @amoloney:fedora.im

IRC: amoloney

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