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Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2005 18:19:50 -0500
From: Parv <parv@pair.com>
To: f-ports <freebsd-ports@freebsd.org>
Message-ID: <20051213231950.GA27219@holestein.holy.cow>
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Subject: Installing & recording of optional software
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Recently i had submitted databases/p5-DBIx-Simple port which can
optionally use other software to provide extra functionality.  Let's
use databases/p5-SQL-Abstract as an example of this extra
functionality.  Currently, DBIx-Simple port records SQL-Abstract as
runtime dependency if WITH_SQL_ABSTRACT is defined.

In order to use DBIx-Simple, SQL-Abstract port does not need to
preexist during or after the install of DBIx-Simple.  It is just
that SQL-Abstract functionality will not be available until
SQL-Abstract is installed.

What i am trying to say is for DBIx-Simple port, IMO, recording of
SQL-Abstract as runtime dependency is wrong, and i need a better way
to inform the user that DBIx-Simple can use SQL-Abstract and install
the optional port if indicated so via WITH_SQL_ABSTRACT or some such
variable.

Alternatively, only a message can be printed -- w/o installing any
optional software -- telling the user that DBIx-Simple can use
other software & they themselves need install it separately.

Comments?


  - Parv

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