Re: Security upgrade for potato by new major version and distro change?
--- Manoj Srivastava <srivasta@debian.org> wrote:
> If the maintainer does not know C/C++, then they really have
> no business packaging a C/C++ programme. Debian is supposed to be
> more than a repository of everything out there (or a cool email
> address). It is also supposed to be about quality. If you do not
> understand the language your package is written in, it is highly
> unlikely your stewardship of that package is goging to be anything
> but mediocre.
>
> I would hope most developers would realize this, and do the
> right thing
>
> manoj
I'm sorry manoj, I don't agree with you there. Surely the maintainer is
there to ensure that the program in its existing state is packaged and
can be installed on a computer correctly, and to work as it should.
This means configuration issues should be a maintainer's biggest issue
they must deal with.
The debugging of a package's program is not solely the responsibility
of the maintainer, rather in the Linux(and others)/GNU arena, the user
is the one who takes responsibility for the program's actual
performance. If a maintainer cannot debug a program, he can simply
redirect issues upstream.
NOTE that i'm not saying 'if he can't program in that language',
sometimes even experienced C/C++ programmers cannot easily debug a
large program (eg: TeX, X, lesstif, linuxkernels), and must not be held
responsible.
I speak from the point of view of a C/C++ programmer who likes to debug
programs, but does not like trying to figure out debian's packaging
system. Stick with what you know, and assist the community where you
can.
Paul
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices.
http://auctions.yahoo.com/
Reply to: