Re: [boost] codepad code longevity ?

Subject: Re: [boost] codepad code longevity ?
From: Dean Michael Berris (mikhailberis_at_[hidden])
Date: 2010-01-29 20:52:04

On Sat, Jan 30, 2010 at 9:35 AM, Joel de Guzman
<joel_at_[hidden]> wrote:
> On 1/30/2010 9:27 AM, Dean Michael Berris wrote:
>>
>> On Sat, Jan 30, 2010 at 9:17 AM, OvermindDL1<overminddl1_at_[hidden]>
>> Â wrote:
>>>
>>> On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 6:09 PM, Dean Michael Berris
>>>>
>>>> Sure, but if you really wanted to use something like codepad so that
>>>> the code is accessible from elsewhere, Github gists are one way of
>>>> doing it. And again, you don't have to know or use git to use the gist
>>>> functionality.
>>>>
>>>> You also get versions for free when using gists so that you can look
>>>> at the evolution of the code snippet over time.
>>>
>>> Where-as if you post it with the email directly, you get the
>>> advantages of both lifetime and searchability. Â Searchability is a
>>> *HUGE* thing with archives, putting code through links kills that.
>>
>> Of course, but what if you wanted to post something like a 200+ line
>> sample without breaking indentation and without syntax highlighting?
>> Then email breaks down.
>
> A 200+ line is not the norm. In such a case, I don't like seeing
> it in codepad anyway. I'd prefer real cpp/hpp files as attachments
> or better yet, SVN.
>

I agree.

Not so much as banning it though, I think saying it's "discouraged"
would be alright.

One reason people use codepad or pastebin or something similar is for
the collaborative features -- allowing others to edit the same piece
of code or at least making a new version of it for illustration. I
don't think it's meant to be just for sharing static content. That
assumes though that the code is meant for collaborative editing
instead of just for exhibition.

SVN works well for that although the infrastructure required to get
involved in an SVN project is arguably too much. There's credentials,
then synchronization, etc. -- whereas pastebin et al allow you to edit
collaboratively on the browser. It's a convenience trade-off which for
some people seem acceptable.

I always saw Gists as convenient illustration "throw-away" snippets
that happen to be public (or private too). Works well for IRC
conversations and IM conversations. Maybe it's pushing it for email,
although email could very well be the collaboration starter for most
people.

I'm veering off a little now so I'll stop before it gets OT. :)

-- 
Dean Michael Berris
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