Re: [boost] [git] annotated SVN synchronization for boost.test (example only)

Subject: Re: [boost] [git] annotated SVN synchronization for boost.test (example only)
From: Paul A. Bristow (pbristow_at_[hidden])
Date: 2014-01-14 12:51:57

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Boost [mailto:boost-bounces_at_[hidden]] On Behalf Of Peter A. Bigot
> Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 5:24 PM
> To: boost_at_[hidden]
> Subject: Re: [boost] [git] annotated SVN synchronization for boost.test (example only)
> 
> On 01/14/2014 11:00 AM, Beman Dawes wrote:
> > On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 12:36 PM, Peter A. Bigot <pab_at_[hidden]> wrote:
> >
> >> On 01/13/2014 06:28 AM, Gennadiy Rozental wrote:
> >>
> >>> Peter A. Bigot <pab <at> pabigot.com> writes:
> >>>
> >>>   Below is an annotated sequence of (bash) command-line git
> >>> operations
> >>>> that I used in a local copy of Boost.Test to understand what was
> >>>> happening in it, with no intention of proposing this be what the
> >>>> maintainers actually do with the module.
> >>>>
> >>> Thank you. I need to get my hands dirty and finally switch to git
> >>> locally. At some point I'll need this (I hope ;))
> >>>
> >> In the interests of reducing pain: I recommend against using those steps.
> >>
> >>
> > The problem, of course, is that your procedure is overwhelmingly
> > complex for a new git user. That's why the docs we've been working on
> > try to stick to very basic git.
> 
> True.  The problem with the docs is that they don't explain what the commands are doing and why
(or
> why not) use them.  

> Rote application works until something goes wrong, then people get confused about
> what happened. 

Definitely - this is a serious flaw with very, very many sets of instructions.

* They don't say why the next step is being taken.

* They don't say how one can tell it has worked OK.

* Or how to check that it has worked OK.

* And what to do if it hasn't.

For example, even the bootstrap process description fails this test.

(I'm still unclear what b2 headers does! - and I'm not certain I fully understand what bootstrap
does either).

I know this makes the instructions longer but IMO it's well worth it.

Paul

---
Paul A. Bristow,
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[phone]  07714330204
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