Re: [gentoo-user] Please confirm my understanding

[Willie Wong <wwong@Princeton.EDU>]

On Fri, Aug 05, 2005 at 09:41:15PM -0400, C.Beamer wrote:
> Now for the question.  I need confirmation of my understanding.  In
> the make.conf file when setting up the USE flags, I include anything
> that I want to have compiled into the programs that I install,
> correct?  If I don't want an option to be compiled in all programs, I
> prefix that with a - sign.  If I want an option for a specific
> package, I use the package.use file.
> 
> So, if I don't want to compile gnome, then I use -gnome as one of the
> keywords.  I don't use gnome, never have, never will, but there are
> gnome applications that I like - gnumeric to name one, plus there are
> a few gnome games.  So, is it my best bet to include -gnome as a
> keyword in my make.conf USE statement and the add it in the
> package.use file for those applications that need it?
> 
> I'm using gnome here as an example, but if my understanding is
> correct, I assume this would apply to anything. And yes, I know that
> you can declare temporary use flags when compiling a package.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Colleen
> 

My understanding is that there are two types of dependencies: required
and optional. For example, gnumeric will necessarily depend on gnome,
whether you like it or not. So even with the -gnome flag set if will
bring in the necessary libraries for it to function. On my system, I
run into a similar thing with Rosegarden. It uses kdelibs and qt. So
even when I specified -kde in make.conf, when I installed Rosegarden,
kdelibs gets installed too. 

I think that if you don't, in general, need gnome functionality, than
-gnome should be fine in a global sense. Even if you don't explicitly
put it in package.use the package that necessarily depend on gnome
will install it as a dependency anyway. 

HTH

W
-- 
   Calvin: Can you make a living playing silly games?  
   His Dad: Actually, you can be among the most overpaid 
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