[OpenIndiana-discuss] Knowledge Base for Compiling and InstallingSoftware Not Available as Packages.

[Dormition Skete]

Well, ideally, if every one of us who needed to install a piece of software that wasn't available in package form would make and sponsor an IPS package for it, I think that would be the best thing.  But I, for one, am not real keen on learning how to make IPS packages -- especially since so many people hate IPS, and in my opinion, its future looks questionable.

What you are proposing sounds interesting, but again, it's yet another thing to learn, and another layer of complexity which also duplicates that which the packaging system should take care of.

For most (?) of us, we build a server once or twice a year.  Some things are just not worth the trouble to automate.

My own rule of thumb is, every program I write has to pay for itself -- with money and/or time saved -- within the first year.  If it doesn't do that, I don't bother with it.



On Dec 19, 2012, at 9:55 PM, Jason Matthews wrote:

> 
> 
> 
>> Perhaps some of you all might like to contribute to it, too?
> 
> This is an interesting topic.
> 
> I am also fond of reproducible processes. I learned from a colleague long
> ago to write Makefiles which in turn run other make files to boot strap an
> entire software stack -- sort of a lord of the rings, one ring to rule them
> all sort of setup.  I was introduced to this concept about twelve years ago
> and I have been using it ever since.
> 
> I haven't bridged the gap between my "/usr/local" build and pkg formatted
> packages but I can't help but wonder if it is better to supply an automated
> build system rather than manual instructions -- any automated build system
> that worked would be preferable to doing something manually.
> 
> A few years ago I thought about releasing the whole thing in a VirtualBox
> image because then it is fully plug and play but never got around to it. One
> down side is the image would be rather large to accommodate the large number
> of packages now included in my build system.
> 
> I am not poopooing your idea in any way. I am just wondering if we can take
> it up a level or two.
> 
> j.
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