Re: [boost] torvalds on branching/merging (was Boost DevelopmentEnvironment proposal)

From: Ames, Andreas (Andreas) (ames_at_[hidden])
Date: 2007-06-08 06:43:30

> -----Original Message-----
> From: boost-bounces_at_[hidden] 
> [mailto:boost-bounces_at_[hidden]] On Behalf Of Julio M. 
> Merino Vidal
> Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 4:49 PM
> Subject: Re: [boost] torvalds on branching/merging (was Boost 
> DevelopmentEnvironment proposal)
> 
> On 07/06/2007, at 16:21, David Abrahams wrote:
> >
> > on Wed Jun 06 2007, troy d straszheim 
> <troy-AT-resophonic.com> wrote:
> [...]
> >>   * commit/branch/merge locally (not in the 'central' repository)
> >>
> >> Interesting the emphasis on git's being distributed... there is no
> >> 'central repository'.
> >
> > This part I have some trouble buying.  In Linus' world, *his*
> > repository is central... well, at least, it's the master from which
> > releases are spun.  In a project where we don't have a 
> single arbiter
> > for what goes into a release, I'm not sure we can have a master.
> 
> And what many people fails to realize: a DVCS may not bring _you_  
> (the "official" developers) any advantage over a centralized one.   
> But it does really bring advantages to outsiders.  They can just  
> clone the central repository, do any changes to it without having to  
> make them public, and painlessly keep it in sync with the 
> master copy  
> at the central repository.  (I'm currently doing that to maintain  
> some changes I'm working on for Linux/PS3.)

I think those who prefer to use a DVCS can just use SVK on top of 
subversion (http://svk.bestpractical.com/).  Thus you can have the best 
of both worlds.

I also assume that you need a BDFL or a cabal, for a completely 
distributed repository to work.  IMHO, such a project structure is not 
desirable and maybe dangerous for ongoing support (this naturally depends 
on the actual BDFL or cabal).  I just can't imagine, say, Debian getting 
anything useful done by relying _exclusively_ on a DVCS.

cheers,

aa

--
Andreas Ames | Programmer | Comergo GmbH | ames AT avaya DOT com
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