Re: packaging aesthetics

[David Bateman]

Paul Kienzle wrote:
>
> I find I'm bothered by the packaging directory structure since it
> doesn't feel natural to me.
>
> I would prefer a system which captures the 90%+ case easily, which is
> a set of m-files with a few decorations to tell the packaging system
> what the package contains.  In Debian, the package information is in
> subdirectory, which allows it to be easily added to an existing
> package.  This makes it particularly easy for those with existing
> Matlab packages to add support for Octave, assuming various other
> compatibilities are not a concern. It also allows the packaging to be
> done by someone other than the developer.  Keeping the compiled
> wrappers, supporting libraries, documentation and so on are separated
> from the rest would probably be best, but the impact of these is small
> so it doesn't matter much either way.
>
> Of course since I'm not offering up any patches this message should be
> given the weight it deserves 8-)
>
>     - Paul
>
>
Paul,

If I understand what you are proposing, is to have all files in the root
directory of a package be installed and the sub-directories get special
treatment. One of these sub-directories is a directory with the octave
packaging information. The goal of this is that existing toolbox of a
bunch of m-files can easily be converted to an octave-package..

However, the code I've seen almost always has some sort of sub-directory
structure for the code. Also when octave gets "@<class>" and "private"
directories, any package that includes them is also a special case. So
to me taking all of the package that is directly installed and moving it
to an inst/ directory is in fact a better long term compromise as it
also addresses the issues of sub-directories that need installing...

Frankly I don't think there will every be a packaging that is prefect
for all uses, and its all a bit of a compromise, but the compromise we
have really isn't too bad...

Cheers
David


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