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[Bug 692] New: Restructure the default configuration
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http://bugs.exim.org/show_bug.cgi?id=692
Summary: Restructure the default configuration
Product: Exim
Version: N/A
Platform: Other
OS/Version: All
Status: NEW
Severity: wishlist
Priority: low
Component: Documentation
AssignedTo: nigel@exim.org
ReportedBy: iane@sussex.ac.uk
CC: exim-dev@exim.org


The default configuration file has a structure that seems somewhat confusing.

I believe it would be more intuitive to place the sections in this order:

Main
Macros
Lists
General
ACLs
Local-scan options
Authenticators
Rewriting
Routers
Transports
Retry rules

because that better reflects the order in which they're used (if at all) when
handling a connection. I know that the order isn't significant to Exim, but it
would be helpful to newcomers if the structure encouraged development of a
correct mental model of Exim's workings.

Tony Finch explains why Cambridge use this layout, here:
http://www-uxsup.csx.cam.ac.uk/~fanf2/hermes/doc/talks/2005-02-eximconf/paper.html#6.1.%20Order%20of%20sections

One might argue that Authenticators should come before ACLs, or even that they
should be in the middle(!) between HELO and MAIL ACLs, but the latter would
require significant code changes.

I've filed this under documentation, because there wasn't a more sensible place
for it, but also because the only other changes required would be in the
documentation.


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