Installing & recording of optional software

[Michael C. Shultz]

On Tuesday 13 December 2005 15:19, Parv wrote:
> Recently i had submitted databases/p5-DBIx-Simple port which can
> optionally use other software to provide extra functionality.  Let's
> use databases/p5-SQL-Abstract as an example of this extra
> functionality.  Currently, DBIx-Simple port records SQL-Abstract as
> runtime dependency if WITH_SQL_ABSTRACT is defined.
>
> In order to use DBIx-Simple, SQL-Abstract port does not need to
> preexist during or after the install of DBIx-Simple.  It is just
> that SQL-Abstract functionality will not be available until
> SQL-Abstract is installed.
>
> What i am trying to say is for DBIx-Simple port, IMO, recording of
> SQL-Abstract as runtime dependency is wrong, and i need a better way
> to inform the user that DBIx-Simple can use SQL-Abstract and install
> the optional port if indicated so via WITH_SQL_ABSTRACT or some such
> variable.
>
> Alternatively, only a message can be printed -- w/o installing any
> optional software -- telling the user that DBIx-Simple can use
> other software & they themselves need install it separately.
>
> Comments?
>
>
>   - Parv

Why not just make a blue screen option? something like

WITH_SQL-Abstrac

and if the user selects it in your Makefile put a runtime dependency on it.
This is covered in the porter4's handbook I believe.

-Mike