On Tue, 13 Apr 1999, Hubert Feyrer wrote:

> > I was wondering... Would it be feasable to have a dependency database that
> > would track what packages require what other packages, so that someone up-
> > grading a particular package would know right off that these other packages
> > need to be updated to build with the new package? This would seem to be a
> > useful tool.
> 
> Hum, right now this information is only available at runtime (i.e. after a
> package is already installed).
> 
> It shouldn't be too hard to scan all DEPENDS to get a clue which packges
> require another package, the question is, how does this benefit us.
> How do you intend to use that database then?
> 
	The pkg_check script I've written provides this information.
	It would be a useful tool for those who update packages.

	I've also added a 'check distfiles' option so you can work out
	what outdated distfiles your machine has :)

> The thing I've been thinking about was to add something like USE_XXX for
> pkgs that are needed by "some" others, where the number of "some" is -
> well, not fixed. :-) When someone upgrades a package, he bumps the version
> of the DEPENDS (or BUILD_DEPENDS, ...) line in bsd.pkg.mk for the USE_XXX,
> and that's it. Just like it works for perl & gtexinfo now.
> 
> This should save some headaches like the one for these popular gfx pkgs
> like png, xpm, tiff, jpeg etc. just as it does for texinfo & perl already
> now. There sure are others - if for nothing else, the above-mentioned
> dependency-database could give some inputs here which they are. 
> 
	Hmm... it might be more maintenance and 'magic' values,
	particularly as it will not apply to all packages (depending on
	the value of "some" :).

	I'd prefer to just have a tool which people can use after
	upgrading a package.

	The current version is at:
		ftp://ftp.netbsd.org/pub/incoming/abs/pkg_check

	It has some 'local subroutines', but they should be ignored OK.

	Feedback more than welcome!

		David/absolute

	Abandoning a syncing disk... or syncing an abandoned disk?