Re: [Boost-build] How many different kinds of command-line options

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2006-02-13 08:57:03

Vladimir Prus <ghost_at_[hidden]> writes:

>> > 1. The -sVARIABLE=setting is not used in V2, at least I never used
>> >   it.
>>
>> I know, but v1 isn't gone yet.  Even after it is, users will have it
>> in their brains from v1, and it's on various mirrors around the web.
>> Probably the Wiki also.
>
> But we can't do much about this. I think we've all agreed long time
> ago that -s is not the best interface.

I know.  My point is just that the problem will be a serious one; we
should be thinking about ways to further simplify the v2 interface to
compensate.

>> >   2. --bboption=value is used only in help system.
>>
>> And that somehow makes it less of a factor? The help system is one
>> of the most exposed parts of BB.
>
> Well, probably, I did not use it recently though. 

Well, *you're* not a newbie!

> <aside>
> Maybe we need to increase the role of --help option by consistently
> trying to
> redirect users to it when applicable.
> </aside>

Probably a good idea.

>> > So, the commonly used options are
>> >
>> >    -jamoption --bboption feature=value
>>
>> You don't think the help system will be commonly used?
>>
>> > and -jamoption are used mostly for -d* options. Maybe, we can add
>> > --options for all -joption, i.e, if we have
>> >
>> >    -n
>> >
>> > we can add
>> >
>> >    --dry-run
>> >
>> > with the same effect. Do you think that will improve things?
>>
>> Maybe.  Do you think new users will really not write
>>
>>         --feature=value
>>
>> by mistake?  I think *I've* done that, as a matter of fact.  It's
>> especially bad because we don't, IIUC, detect unused --options.
>
> Detecting unused options will be right approach. As for
> "--feature=value" syntax, I'm not sure regular options are features
> are exactly the same and should not use different syntax.

I'm not sure either, but I think we ought to be aware of the
possibility and try to head off as many problems as possible.

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