The rel_offset is currently used to bias the source_file and base_path variables. It's primary purpose is to allow diagnostic tests to use relative paths so not to include machine specific info in them. The problem, however, is that it currently biases the variables on set, meaning that, if it doesn't line up with the location of the application, the relative names are off. It should, instead, be used when retrieving variables and, even then, only for representation.
The rel_offset is currently used to bias the source_file and base_path variables. It's primary purpose is to allow diagnostic tests to use relative paths so not to include machine specific info in them. The problem, however, is that it currently biases the variables on set, meaning that, if it doesn't line up with the location of the application, the relative names are off. It should, instead, be used when retrieving variables and, even then, only for representation.