Re: [boost] Is program_options unmaintained?

Subject: Re: [boost] Is program_options unmaintained?
From: Peter Simons (simons_at_[hidden])
Date: 2008-12-24 09:49:54

Hi Vladimir,

 > The right procedure to report a bug is via svn.boost.org.

Ticket #2613.

 >> Does anyone still maintain the program_options library?
 >
 > I do, but these days I can't guarantee specific response time for
 > program_options questions.

With free software, there are generally no guarantees for anything -- the
Boost license states that quite clearly --, so it would be foolish to expect
free software authors to respond within specific time frames. Anyone who has
that expectation should be willing to pay for those services. I'm not paying
you, so I expect basically nothing.

However, when a library is being actively maintained, it means that someone
*is* fixing bugs that come up. It might not happen overnight, it might even
take a few weeks, but eventually reported bugs are going to be fixed. That
is what makes the difference between code that's being maintained and code
that is not.

I reported a bug twice, but received no response whatsoever. I have observed
other people receive no response either, not even a mere "have no time right
now, I'll look at it later". Given those circumstances, I don't think it was
unreasonable of me to wonder whether the library is still being maintained.

 >> More generally speaking, what is the procedure if it turns out that a
 >> Boost library *is* unmaintained?
 >
 > There is none, to the best of my knowledge. Do you want to become a maintainer?

Why do you ask? Would you like to find a new maintainer for program_options?

Merry Christmas,
Peter