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Most 64-bit systems have a 64-bit time_t, so this won't affect them. Some 32-bit systems have also shifted to a 64-bit time_t. But it will be an issue that'll require a lot of recompiling and patching of ancient legacy stuff.


Even on 64 bit platforms with 64 bit time_t you are assuming that time is always stored in time_t, and never stored in or exchanged with systems that still use 32 bit time values. That's by no means a safe assumption.


So there's the rub.

It's all the integration/glue code that's the problem.

The dark matter of the programming world.


OpenBSD is in the process of doing an upgrade to 64-bit time_t. Well, of figuring out the best way to do it. They seem to have most of it worked out, it's just a question of when to pull the trigger.


When to pull the trigger... sometime around new year's day on 1970?


Think about all the file formats and network protocols that are designed for a 32bit time_t.

There will be a LOT of patching.




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