Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:16:38 -0700 From: Chad Perrin <perrin@apotheon.com> To: FreeBSD Questions <freebsd-questions@freebsd.org> Subject: Re: Ports with GUI configs Message-ID: <20071115221638.GC76155@demeter.hydra> In-Reply-To: <473CAD52.6060309@chuckr.org> References: <20071112183502.438b44b8@gumby.homeunix.com.> <4738A71A.6060100@chuckr.org> <4738ACDD.50108@u.washington.edu> <4738ADC8.2060005@gmx.de> <4738AEBF.4010109@u.washington.edu> <4738C145.2050601@chuckr.org> <20071112214240.5d3b048a@gumby.homeunix.com.> <4738FC8B.5000309@chuckr.org> <20071114230723.GD70122@demeter.hydra> <473CAD52.6060309@chuckr.org>
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On Thu, Nov 15, 2007 at 03:34:26PM -0500, Chuck Robey wrote: > Chad Perrin wrote: > >On Mon, Nov 12, 2007 at 08:23:23PM -0500, Chuck Robey wrote: > >>This makes a little file of descriptor words, but it's not set so a > >>regular editor can manipulate it; the special ports program is needed to > >>set or reset this list. All ports query this list in making the > >>decision as to whether or whether not to include a particular port as a > >>dependency. > > > >Ugh. As far as I'm concerned, everything that pertains to system > >configuration should always be human-readable and editable without > >special tools. Trying to insulate things from human ability to directly > >manipulate them tends to lead to rapidly increasing difficulty of > >debugging configurations. > > I might have agreed with this, except, I have lived for a good while > with the Gentoo "USE" lists, and I can tell you that having insufficent > control over what goes ontp those lists causes havoc both with the users > trying to select the proper wording of the lists, and the programmers > trying to decide how to have a particular USE keyword represent a > particular ports usage. You have to make certain that both users and > programmers have a definite, firm meaning in mind when they use the > keywords, because (in another's well chosen words) if you don't, USE > lists are a PITA. It takes firmer control of meaning to make certain > that the list doesn't devolve into that. > > This is actual experience talking, in this case. I don't see how that translates into "the user should not be allowed to view what's going on behind the scenes in a text editor if (s)he wants to." -- CCD CopyWrite Chad Perrin [ http://ccd.apotheon.org ] W. Somerset Maugham: "The ability to quote is a serviceable substitute for wit."
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