This is a continuation of "[gentoo-dev] Proposal for changes for the next EAPI
version" thread. Since the former subject isn't very relevant anymore.
Target:
A place to provide scripts that can be used by an automated arch-tester bot to
stabilize Gentoo packages. These scripts can be as simple as a one liner
`python -c "import module"`
for example in case of a python module. Or a little complex, for example to test
different features in case of different USE flags.
The main target is to alleviate the problems and unreliability from ARCH Testing
and to more thoroughly and automatically test packages.
1 - Some important factors to consider from the previous thread:
a) This must be run POST-MERGE so that problems after merging can be detected
b) It should be hopefully scalable in both directions - similar tests for multiple packages
- different tests for different versions of same package.
c) If a users want, they should be able to run these tests too (If they do, bug reports
collected will be very valuable.
d) Most common opinion was to not have an EAPI change unless this gains enough
use or demand.
e) If implemented as a part of ebuild, it can have all benefits of an ebuild syntax.
Different versions of a package can have different test scripts. Test code part can
have its own conditional runtime dependencies (only to take effect IF testing is on).
Also, it can have specific parts of test run or not dependent on USE flags enabled.
2 - Some suggested solutions
a) The original proposed solution:
To have an extra phase ci_test() or something similar that would be run ONLY when
emerge is called with ci-test option. That way rest of the ebuild doesn't have to change,
and for normal users, this wouldn't run unless they explicitly want it to.