README (automake-1.16.2.tar.xz) | : | README (automake-1.16.3.tar.xz) | ||
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This is the 'contrib' directory of the GNU Automake distribution. | This is the 'contrib' directory of the GNU Automake distribution. | |||
Here you'll find additions to the Automake base distribution, in form of | Here you'll find additions to the Automake base distribution, in the form of | |||
makefile fragments, m4 macros, scripts, documentation, et cetera. Such | makefile fragments, m4 macros, scripts, documentation, et cetera: additions | |||
addition that might be useful for a significant percentage of its general | that might be handy to many users, but (for one reason or another) are not | |||
audience, but (for one reason or another) are not deemed appropriate for | deemed appropriate for inclusion into the Automake core. | |||
inclusion into the Automake core. | ||||
There are several reasons for which a feature can be kept in contrib: | There are several reasons that a feature might be kept in contrib: | |||
1. The long-term usefulness of the feature is debatable and uncertain; | 1. The long-term usefulness of the feature is debatable and uncertain; | |||
on-field and real-word testing are necessary to prove or disprove | real-world testing is necessary to prove or disprove its usefulness, | |||
its usefulness, before the feature can be committed into the Automake | before the feature can be committed into the Automake core (as doing so | |||
core (as doing so too early would later force us to continue the | too early would later force us to continue support for | |||
support for backward-compatibility, even if the features proves | backward-compatibility, even if the feature proved flawed or fails to | |||
flawed or fails to attract widespread use). | attract widespread use). | |||
2. The APIs or overall design of the feature are still unstable, and | 2. The APIs or overall design of the feature are still unstable, and need | |||
need on-field testing to iron warts and usability bugs, or uncover | testing to iron out warts and usability bugs, or uncover potential flaws. | |||
potential flaws. | ||||
3. The feature was an historical one, mostly obsoleted but still used | 3. The feature was an historical one, mostly obsolete but still used in the | |||
"here and there" in the wild; so we want to to deprecate it and | wild. We want to deprecate it and remove it from the Automake core, but | |||
remove it from the Automake core, but cannot remove it altogether, | cannot remove it altogether, for the sake of the existing usage, so it | |||
for the sake of those still-existing usage. So it gets moved in | gets moved to contrib. | |||
contrib. | ||||
End of changes. 5 change blocks. | ||||
14 lines changed or deleted | 12 lines changed or added |