From: Sean Russell <ser@...>
Date: 2002-07-07T07:23:08+09:00
Subject: Re: Packaging ideas (was: Re: packaged REXML)

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Ok, so this is what I'm thinking.  Give me access to your sources, and I'll 
see if I can provide some code, rather than making you do everything:

I want the following features in a distribution mechanism:

1) The distribution spec completely disassociated from the source tarball.  As 
we've talked about, this means that I can build a spec for, say, Dave Thomas' 
rdoc without Dave knowing that his software is being downloaded and installed 
by rpkg.
2) As much introspection on the install as possible.  When the distribution 
spec is by neccessity large and complex, people don't write them.
3) Support for both precompiled and source archives
4) Patching support
5) CVS support

In as much as it is possible, offload all of the work of compiling and 
installing onto the package -- it should know best how to compile and install 
itself.  The distribution mechanism should just know how to fetch the 
package, calculate dependancies, tell the package to compile and install 
itself, and manage resources on the client side (tracking installed files and 
so on).

(1) and (2) are important because practically, they greatly simplify writing 
distribution specs.  (3) is, well, core functionality.  (4) is important 
because it allows third parties to provide improvements to the standard 
distribution.  (5) is important for terse downloads.

Are these goals achievable within the framework of rpkg?

- -- 
 |..  I'll never forget the first time I ran Windows, but I'm trying...
<|>   
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