On 5/22/06, Mark Woodward <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Except that apt doesn't work on all platforms. Though it would certainly
> make sense to look at lifting the framework for CPgAN from somewhere,
> rather than coding it ourselves.
A CPgAN would be a great idea in theory, but I have reservations.
As a software developer, I'm fine with pgfoundery, but as a DB admin, and
one who deploys data centers from time to time, I'd like to see something
closer to the contrib.
If I could have any influence at all, I'd like to see "contrib"
essentially go away in the main distribution and replaced or renamed
"extensions." Then, some advisory group "blesses" extensions, and those
extensions get packaged into a PostgreSQL extensions pack. I, again as a
DB admin, would have NO problem with PostgreSQL playing favorites and
picking best of breed for these extensions.
The "problem" with contrib is that no actively developed projects should
be there. It is a feature, not a bug. If it is actively developed, it may be
buggy. If it is proven over time, it can be safely used. Also, for a contrib
it is inefficient to release a whole -contrib whenever a subproject releases
new release. This "forces" -contrib to use stable-and-unchanging packages.
This also makes it extremaly hard to put new or niche projects. New are
risky, because they may need immediate bugfixes. Niche projects used
by a minority of users bloat -contrib and force more frequent releases,
both of which are well, not preferred.
Of course -contrib is great, we all know it. I think a "CPgAN" would be
a good testbed/incubator for new packages, some of which should
eventually get into -contrib.
Also, assuming there is a "pginstall dbanme packagename" interface,
a -contrib package should register all its subpackages within that
system. So, you install postgresql-contrib, and then you can type:
pg_package install mydb index/ltree
and later, provided you change your mind:
pg_package remove mydb index/ltree
(with -f option to "insert CASCADE whenever possible ;)).
This would be somewhat similar to current createlang(1) and friends. :)
Regards,
Dawid
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