Re: [arch-d] deprecating Postel's principle- considered harmful

[Joe Touch <touch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On May 8, 2019, at 7:24 AM, Bless, Roland (TM) <roland.bless@xxxxxxx> wrote:

I always understood it in the way it is described in RFC 1122:

        Software should be written to deal with every conceivable
        error, no matter how unlikely; sooner or later a packet will
        come in with that particular combination of errors and
        attributes, and unless the software is prepared, chaos can
        ensue.

I’ve always agreed with that perspective, however...

        …In general, it is best to assume that the network is
        filled with malevolent entities that will send in packets
        designed to have the worst possible effect.

This is, IMO, where even one of the most cited interpretations goes off the rails.

Don’t assume malice where incompetence can suffice. 

Joe