[RFC] Replacing the sort filter of global(1).

[Shigio YAMAGUCHI]

Hi all,
I would like to replace global(1)'s current sort filter with new one.

Now, global(1) calls gnusort(1) to sort the output.
On the other hand, we have developed new sort filter which is
much faster than gnusort in almost case. (Essential part of it
was written by Iwamoto san.)
You can use this filter by typing like follows:

$ global --devel <argument>

I think there is no problem about new filter after testing.
Therefore, I suggest the followings:

o Replace gnusort(1) with new sort filter (gtags --sort).
  and delete gnusort(1) from the package.

o Merge new sort filter(gtags --sort) as part of global itself.

  [current implementation]
  process1          process2
  +-------------+   +-------------+
  |   global    |==>| sort filter |===> output
  +-------------+   +-------------+
        |
        v
  [new implementation]
        process1
  +--------+-------------+
  | global | sort filter |===> output
  +--------+-------------+

o Use system's POSIX sort command for plug-in parser.

  Since POSIX sort command is even needed for plug-in parser,
  we should check whether or not POSIX sort exists in the target
  system using configure script. If POSIX sort is not found,
  the use of plug-in parser will bring an error message like:

        $ gtags
        Error: POSIX sort(1) is required to use plug-in parser.

What do you think?
Are there any problem?
--
Shigio YAMAGUCHI <address@hidden> - Tama Communications Corporation
PGP fingerprint: D1CB 0B89 B346 4AB6 5663  C4B6 3CA5 BBB3 57BE DDA3