Re: [PATCH 01/12] import: Move json-fetch to (guix import utils).

[Eric Bavier]

On 2016-09-22 10:23, David Craven wrote:
> > guile-json is an optional dependency for Guix.  See
> > the manual and makefiles.
>
> I see, didn't know.
>
> > We can't do this
>
> I'm not sure that this is correct.
>
> From the manual:
> > Installing Guile-JSON will allow you to use the guix
> > import pypi command (see Section 6.5 [Invoking guix
> > import], page 75). It is of interest primarily for
> > developers and not for casual users.
>
> CPAN, GEM and CARGO importers also use guile-json. If
> a developer is using importers I think he can install guile-json
> since most importers use it. (guix import utils) is only used
> by importers, so people that don't want to use importers
> can continue without using guile-json. To put it in perspective
> guile-json is 100KB (guix size only displays MB).

Overall the patch seems like a net loss.  If guile-json is an optional 
dependency for Guix and there are importers that don't need it (cran, 
hackage, elpa, nix, gnu), then we shouldn't make importers completely 
inaccessible for those who want to use Guix without guile-json so that 
we can gain what?

--
`~Eric