Re: [BBv2 doc editorial] tutorial/libs

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-09-20 13:54:19

Larry Evans <cppljevans_at_[hidden]> writes:

> On 09/20/2005 12:42 PM, David Abrahams wrote:
>>>Dependent Targets
>>>
>>>Targets that are “needed” by other targets are called dependencies
>> 
>> ^^^^^^^^^^^
>> remove quotes and replace with "needed in order to build"
>> 
>> 
>>>of those other targets. The targets that need the other targets are
>>>called dependent targets.
>
> The following would be clearer to me:
>
> If a target, X, is needed by another target, Y, then Y is termed
> a dependent of X and, conversely, X is termed a dependency of Y.
> This reflects the mathematical notation:
>
> Y = f(X)
>
> where f represents the function, e.g. compile, needed to create
> Y from X.

I appreciate your input very much, so I hope you will take my response
in that context...

I understand how the use of X and Y help, but the phrasing seems
needlessly wordy. Also the whole business of mathematical notation
seems pedantic and not helpful. The first sentence ought to be able
to do the job on its own. How about, simply,

When a target X is needed in order to build target Y, X is called a
dependency of Y and Y is called a dependent of X.

??

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com