Re: Meaning of `source code'

[bruce@pixar.com (Bruce Perens)]

> So, if I write a program which needs a non-free compiler to be
> built, that program _cannot be free_ according to the GPL.  But do we
> consider it free?

The Debian Free Software Guidelines are more strict than the GPL on this
point. The DFSG require that everything you use to build the program be
free software, or the program itself would wind up in our "contrib"
directory rather than in the main part of the system. The GPL makes
exceptions for some libraries and other tools with the assumption that
you are building a free program for use on a non-free system. Obviously,
that assumption doesn't apply to Debian.

	Thanks

	Bruce
-- 
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Bruce Perens K6BP   bruce@debian.org   NEW PHONE NUMBER: 510-620-3502


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