Re: [boost] [1.36.0] Libraries with unmerged changes?

From: Bjørn Roald (bjorn_at_[hidden])
Date: 2008-07-13 05:08:41

James Sharpe wrote:
> - Original message -
> [SNIP]What's the obsession over a DVCS?
>
> I personally find that the workflow of a DVCS is better suited to
> frequent merges and frequent commits.  

Well, a DVCS without excellent support for merge and private commits 
would probably be a disaster ;-)

> Personally I find tools such as
> gitk useful in visualizing the progress of the project and I just in
> general feel much more comfortable with merging with a DVCS tool than
> with subversion.
>   

What is needed is good merge management and merge tools--not necessarily 
git.  Git does not really support Windows and in practical terms Boost 
would need someone to manage, support and host the master git repository 
anyway--who?.  So the big difference between DVCS and centralized 
repository VCS for Boost does not strike me.   Better native merge tools 
in svn is an upcoming feature.  A good Boost svn-git gateway or use of 
SVK for private synchronized repositories and branches can mend many of 
the other svn shortcomings.

> I get the feeling that most people working on boost haven't actually
> tried a DVCS, and I would encourage people to try it out if they
> haven't already.
>   

Agree, but that is based on other DVCS traits than the false fact that 
merges are inherently hard with any none-decentralized VCS.  Moreover, 
as far as suitability for Boost, I think this discussion is dead unless 
somebody come up with solid suggestions for tools that work nicely with 
existing Boost SVN.  Alternatives to Boost SVN that is significantly 
better and is professionally supported in both transition and  
production is not likely to happen any time soon.

-- 
Bjørn