Re: RFH: How to compile swf files from source
[Peter Samuelson]
> Source code is a means to an end. The end is the ability of the end
> user to customize the software. If you get source code but no way to
> build a new .swf file from it, this end is not served.
Also, I'm a proponent of the idea of always building our packages from
source - just to make sure we actually _can_, thus preserving the
principle above. I think it is a valuable service to the end-user to
express the build process using Build-Depends and debian/rules. They
don't need to say "OK, I fixed this bug or typo or whatever, now how do
I recompile it?" They don't need to wonder whether it's even
_possible_ to rebuild what they've changed (without, for example, going
out and buying some non-free tool).
...However, my view is a bit controversial; a lot of people think there
should be exceptions for certain categories of generated files, like
those output by the autotools. I don't see why, except for historical
inertia, but there it is.
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