in reply to Re: Interesting article on CPAN and C/C++
in thread Interesting article on CPAN and C/C++

Unlike Perl or Java, C/C++ implementations vary from machine to machine and compiler to compiler.

Mmm. That is one good reason. This can be worked around, as demonstrated by GNU project's tools.

In fact, isn't this just what the GNU project was supposed to be? A collection of C libraries aimed at bringing high quality software to the average coder, being as portable as possible? We have a winner!

But wait... we hit that "licensing" problem. RMS is so left wing that it scares many people off using the libraries or contributing to the project.

There are a few people Stallman has driven into believing the GPL is the Way, the Truth and the Light and the only way to programming nirvana is through the GPL. Perl's GPL license keeps that camp happy, while drawing them to Perl. Then the Artistic license just basically says "Respect!"; the way it damn well should be.

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Re: CCAN; what about the GNU project?
by mitd (Curate) on Aug 10, 2001 at 02:25 UTC
    'Oh IP Elephants'
    'In fact, isn't this just what the GNU project was supposed to be? A collection of C libraries aimed at bringing high quality software to the average coder, being as portable as possible? We have a winner!'

    Ah... no, I don't think so:

    'The GNU Project was launched in 1984 to develop a complete Unix-like operating system which is free software...'
    --gnu.org

    '... RMS is so left wing that it scares many people off using the libraries or contributing to the project.'

    Simply using 'political polarization' to characterize RMS is, at best, cowardly and at worst, ignorant.
    '...scares many people off using have you looked at SourceForge lately?

    'There are a few people Stallman has driven into believing the GPL is the Way, ...

    See above comment.

    There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance ? that principle is contempt prior to investigation.'
    --Herbert Spencer

    mitd-Made in the Dark
    'My favourite colour appears to be grey.'

[reply]
      Ah... no, I don't think so: ... to develop a complete Unix-like operating system ...

      And what is one part of a complete Unix-like system? C libraries! And who is the GNU project aimed at? Everyone! Is it too much of a collary to say that the GNU project aims to provide programmers with an abundance of C libraries?

      Simply using 'political polarization' to characterize RMS is, at best, cowardly and at worst, ignorant.

      Oh, come on! He even changed the word "copyright" to "copyleft"! The GPL pulls the finger at the capitalisation of software! How more left wing could you be?

      You're right; the term "left wing" has a number of connotations that didn't apply in this case. But you must admit, if someone who doesn't understand the concept of free software or whose business model isn't compatible, the GPL would scare you off considering the use of that code base. That scare just isn't there with CPAN, which is one more reason people can easily get away with using it in the workplace.

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Re: CCAN; what about the GNU project?
by mr_mischief (Monsignor) on Aug 09, 2001 at 09:17 UTC
    If one does not like GNU due to the GPL, one can always grab something under the BSD license for a similar effect with fewer restrictons. The LGPL is pretty handy in this respect, too, as are public domain snippets and licenses that say "Do what you will, but give me a little credit in your readme".

    I guess there's always Dr. Frob's language snippet CDs... *ducks*

    Chris
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