To be a new DFly commiter

Bill Hacker wbh at conducive.org
Sun Mar 18 07:52:21 PDT 2007


Michel Talon wrote:

*trimmed*

work, and in particular they have understood the obvious, that is a ports
system must be centered about binary packages, not recompiling source. 
This is true for at least two reasons:
- first, today users don't want to lose time compiling
Often true.  Penguinistas, for example, are used to rebooting, don't seem to 
mind binaries that don't match their environment.

- second, it is *impossible* to guarantee reliability of a system based on
source code, because two people may compile the same software on different
background, and obtain different result. This is a fundamental issue that
nobody will be able to solve.
Of *course* they may obtain different results. Purpose of the exercise.

That's why, for 'production', one compiles on the target and in the environment 
that is to host the resulting binary.  If something is mis-matched, the error is 
'in your face', right up front - even if cryptic and not helpful.  It is not 
buried in a mostly-workign binary to bite cherass later.

For 'sport', OTOH, do whatever gives you the most intense feeling the fastest.

Hint:  Computers may not even have a role....

;-)

Bill






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