From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 Return-Path: X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 4.0.0 (2022-12-14) on finch.gentoo.org X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-0.2 required=5.0 tests=DKIM_ADSP_NXDOMAIN, DMARC_MISSING,MAILING_LIST_MULTI autolearn=unavailable autolearn_force=no version=4.0.0 Received: from moutvdom00.kundenserver.de (moutvdom00.kundenserver.de [195.20.224.149]) by chiba.3jane.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id AEB81150F8 for ; Mon, 3 Dec 2001 01:39:40 -0600 (CST) Received: from [195.20.224.208] (helo=mrvdom01.schlund.de) by moutvdom00.kundenserver.de with esmtp (Exim 2.12 #2) id 16Angr-0000jn-00 for gentoo-dev@gentoo.org; Mon, 3 Dec 2001 08:39:01 +0100 Received: from pd4b89e36.dip.t-dialin.net ([212.184.158.54] helo=server) by mrvdom01.schlund.de with esmtp (Exim 2.12 #2) id 16Angp-0002Cw-00 for gentoo-dev@gentoo.org; Mon, 3 Dec 2001 08:38:59 +0100 From: "Sebastian Werner" To: Subject: AW: [gentoo-dev] USE database? Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2001 08:41:31 +0100 Message-ID: <003f01c17bcd$ed380c30$6400a8c0@server> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook, Build 10.0.2616 In-Reply-To: <3C0AD02D.8030106@shaw.ca> X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2600.0000 Importance: Normal Sender: gentoo-dev-admin@gentoo.org Errors-To: gentoo-dev-admin@gentoo.org X-BeenThere: gentoo-dev@gentoo.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.6 Precedence: bulk Reply-To: gentoo-dev@gentoo.org List-Help: List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Id: Developer discussion list List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: X-Archives-Salt: b9817f6a-e128-447c-a850-7c2aab7b3986 X-Archives-Hash: 58671bed2914cbaa48e8a98e5b6ceb2c Hey, I like your idea. I have the same problems with the many variables I could set. Some other idea I think could be good is to store the data with gconf or something else (a binary registry - like windows but better). Sebastian Werner -----Urspr=FCngliche Nachricht----- Von: gentoo-dev-admin@gentoo.org [mailto:gentoo-dev-admin@gentoo.org] Im Auftrag von Zach Forrest Gesendet: Montag, 3. Dezember 2001 02:07 An: gentoo-dev@gentoo.org Betreff: [gentoo-dev] USE database? Hi. I've just signed up to the mailing list and wanted to put in my 2^n=20 cents. I've just switched over from Debian and am very impressed with=20 the Portage system and find administration and configuration to be very=20 straight forward and enjoyable. I have learned a great deal about Linux=20 in general during the transition (which is almost done -- I think). So,=20 without further adieu.... One thing I think needs some refinement is the USE system. I was=20 thinking that using a format that is more strict would allow for more=20 flexibility and make it easier to automate both the process of=20 generating the make.conf file and for tools to administer the USE=20 variables. It may also allow for some improvements in the Portage system as well. Using the docs in make.conf as the starting point, I think it would make sense to have a simple database format, or, if using python a list of=20 dictionaries. For example, one entry might look like this: use_var=3D{"name":"esd", "description":"Enable enlightenment sound daemon support.", "priority":"OPTIONAL", "depends":"media-sound/esound"} where: priority =3D> RECOMMENDED | REQUIRED | OPTIONAL | STANDARD | EXPERIMENTAL | DEPRECIATED | DONTUSE | CANNOTLIVEWITHOUT depends =3D> packages required to satisfy the USE variable Note the "depends" entry. This may allow the Portage system to become=20 more flexible. Rather than just silently checking for use flags it may=20 be nice to let the user know which USE variables are supported and=20 possibly give the option to install supported packages, easily located=20 through the "depends" field in the "database". This might serve as=20 something similar to the Debian "recommended" package option. Maybe=20 including a USE or OPTIONAL flag in the ebuild file that lists all of=20 the possible USE options could be added. Also, maybe adding a "--satisfyuse" flag to the ebuild/emerge command. I know Gentoo is designed for more advanced users and what I have=20 described may seem gratuitous, but I think it might make things easier=20 in the long run. (Also, even advanced users can do with a _little_=20 convenience.) It may, then, also make sense to give a little more structure to the=20 optimization settings. For example: optimization_var=3D{ "host":"i686", "chost":"i686-pc-linux-gnu", "cflags":"-mcpu=3Di686 -march=3Di686 -O3 -pipe", "cxxflags":"-mcpu=3Di686 -march=3Di686 -O3 -pipe"} where: host =3D> i386 | i486 | i586 | i686 | k6 | athalon [ | ppc ] And, for the sake of completeness, why not the FETCHCOMMAND: fetch_cmd=3D{ "name":"Lukemftp", "command":"/usr/bin/lukemftp -s -a -o \${DISTDIR}/\${y} \${x}"} If I recall correctly, my inspiration for all of this was when, during a recent update, I noticed that some new USE variables were available. I=20 found it annoying to see which ones I had already included (searching=20 through my long and possibly overkill USE string) and if there were any=20 new ones that I wanted. Then I thought, "Gee, wouldn't a nice ncurses=20 interface be great -- a couple of check boxes and then I have more time=20 to attend to something only a little more important?" As this is my first (and hopefully longest) message please give me some=20 feedback, both good and bad -- I can take it. I am thoroughly enjoying Gentoo Linux. Thank you to everyone. Regards, Zach Forrest _______________________________________________ gentoo-dev mailing list gentoo-dev@gentoo.org http://lists.gentoo.org/mailman/listinfo/gentoo-dev