Re: CPAN style Ada repository

[Jacob Sparre Andersen <jacob@jacob-sparre.dk>]

Yannick Duchêne wrote:
> Le Thu, 12 Dec 2013 09:23:05 +0100, Jacob Sparre Andersen
> <jacob@jacob-sparre.dk> a écrit:

>> b) Make it easier to find and install Open Source libraries and
>>    applications written in Ada.
>>
>> […]
>>
>> d) Advertise the existence of other Ada compilers than GNAT.
>
> If “open source” is used as synonym of “gratis” (as it is usually),
> then point B and D are mostly incompatible, as all other Ada compilers
> are not gratis.

I use "Open Source" as per the official definition [1].

I don't think those points are incompatible.  Although you in some cases
are not allowed to distribute Open Source software compiled with a
closed source compiler, the same can be true for compiling it with an
Open Source compiler.

> Still talking about other compilers, then a point to add would be to
> try to restrict sources to what other compilers supports at a given
> time, and I guess actually this is rather Ada 2005 and not Ada 2012
> (except may be Janus Ada from RR Software).

I don't see any point in excluding software written in Ada 2012 (or Ada
83 for that matter) as long as it is correct Ada 2012.  Showing off how
one can make good use of Ada 2012 is likely to motivate the vendors to
upgrade their offerings to support it.

Greetings,

Jacob

[1] http://opensource.org/osd
-- 
A: Yes.
>Q: Are you sure?
>>A: Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation.
>>>Q: Why is top posting frowned upon?