Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
We want Ultramarine to have a very stable base system, but we also want to implement experimental cutting-edge features without it affecting the end user, and make it easy for users to roll them back when needed.
Maybe we want to try replacing GNU coreutils entirely with uutils? Force change the default system compiler from GCC to Clang? Replace some random fundamental system component for an experiment? Instead of imperatively modifying the system which may be error-prone (and sometimes even hard to roll back), we could provide a system overlay image to apply on top instead?
Describe the solution you'd like
Instead of directly modifying the system and having to revert changes imperatively, we can make use of sysexts, which provide an overlay on top of the existing filesystem.
Describe alternatives you've considered
A clear and concise description of any alternative solutions or features you've considered.
Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe. We want Ultramarine to have a very stable base system, but we also want to implement experimental cutting-edge features without it affecting the end user, and make it easy for users to roll them back when needed.
Maybe we want to try replacing GNU coreutils entirely with uutils? Force change the default system compiler from GCC to Clang? Replace some random fundamental system component for an experiment? Instead of imperatively modifying the system which may be error-prone (and sometimes even hard to roll back), we could provide a system overlay image to apply on top instead?
Describe the solution you'd like Instead of directly modifying the system and having to revert changes imperatively, we can make use of sysexts, which provide an overlay on top of the existing filesystem.
Describe alternatives you've considered A clear and concise description of any alternative solutions or features you've considered.
Additional context https://0pointer.net/blog/testing-my-system-code-in-usr-without-modifying-usr.html