[RFC] Why FreeBSD ports should have branches by OS version

[Dave Hayes]

On 06/22/2017 11:43, demelier.david at gmail.com wrote:
> Let me use my example of www/node back. I have built the port www/node
> in poudriere using this origin (so no version). At the time I've built
> it it was a 6.x version. When I upgraded my machine, www/node has
> switched to 7.x version and since this software follows semantic
> versioning, every application using the 6.x branch may or may not work
> anymore.

I completely agree that an annoying consequence of what the volunteers 
are doing with the ports tree. These unwelcome surprises are the bulk of 
my non-automated work in creating package repositories.

Frankly, I also wish this kind of thing would stop. Ultimately my wishes 
are irrelevant for reasons far far beyond the scope of this thread.

> Now, I'm in a state where if I pull the ports tree, I must check if
> www/node6 still exists or I must not upgrade.
>
> With releases branches I will be sure that:
>
>   1. www/node will *always* be at a 6.x version;
>   2. www/node will still be supported for the version of the FreeBSD
> system.

That sounds reasonable...yet others will likely expect www/node to 
always be the latest version. Perhaps these others might complain that 
it is not the latest version and it would be reasonable to have node 
always be at the latest version.

Would you agree that release branches would be unnecessary if somehow 
you could select the version of node that the ports tree builds via some 
(as yet unspecified) mechanism?
-- 
Dave Hayes - Consultant - Altadena CA, USA - dave at jetcafe.org
 >>>> *The opinions expressed above are entirely my own* <<<<

If you want to get rid of somebody, just tell them something
for their own good.