Re: ada-mode and GNAT project files (was: GVD)

[rolf.ebert_nospam_@gmx.net]

Ludovic Brenta wrote:
> I have a patch that:
>
> * enhances the Ada major mode to edit GNAT Project files (understands
>   the "project" keyword, indents, etc.)

also see
http://groups.google.de/group/comp.lang.ada/browse_thread/thread/92c2ed8b1648aa50/a301b1df7335cdb9?q=gpr+mode&rnum=1&hl=de#a301b1df7335cdb9

> * replaces the machinery that reads .adp files with a new one that
>   reads .gpr files instead

I prefer direct editing of gpr files to the somewhat clumsy UI in Emacs

> * finds the .ali files in the object directory specified by the .gpr
>   file, which makes cross-references work.

That is a good and necessary extension, although I rarely use
cross-references in Emacs.

> > >Therefore we will fork ada-mode.  Any suggestion for another name?
> >
> No, this is not needed at present.  I am only contemplating a fork
> of ada-mode.

I don't see a need to fork.  This is GPL software after all. Anybody is
free to extend the software and publish it.  Just post your modified
ada-mode.el.  There once was a mailing list for ada-mode.  I don't
think it is still alive, however.

Others have done a lot of improvements, too (e.g.
http://www.toadmail.com/~ada_wizard/) that should be considered for
inclusion.

> > However, Ludovics ada-mode supports GNAT projects so what about
> > gnat-mode or gnuada-mode. If the fork ever supports Ada2005, it
> > could be ada05-mode or something similar. If it will not support
> > Ada2005, it could be better to just supply patches for Emacs (I
> > suppose that no huge changes have been made).
>
> Emacs is downstream from Emmanuel, so unfortunately a fork is
> inevitable if I am to distribute my patched ada-mode.

Do NOT fork.  Just add your modifs and keep calling it ada-mode.el!

   Rolf


P.S. I did not compare ada-mode of Emacs 21.3/4 to ada-mode V3.6 in
full detail.  It is my impression that ada-mode in Emacs contains all
the V3.6 features.