Re: --with-foo= vs. FOO=${FOO:-foo_default}

[Ben Pfaff]

Bruce Korb <address@hidden> writes:

> Ben Pfaff wrote:
> 
> > In my experience, a cryptic configuration file is almost always
> > an improvement over a configure switch.
> 
> You're at Stanford.  You must be a student.

You got a problem with that?  I have a degree in electrical
engineering and I'm studying toward a Ph.D. in computer science.
I've been programming for 16 years.  I think I know a little
about how computers should work.

> Hand editing configure or config.status are completely
> insufferable as alternatives.  I am bold enough to say
> that if you don't think so, then you are wrong.

We seem to be in violent agreement.  I am saying that I prefer my
programs to be configurable at runtime rather than at
installation time.  Hence, a configuration file instead of a
configure switch.
-- 
"While the Melissa license is a bit unclear, Melissa aggressively
 encourages free distribution of its source code."
--Kevin Dalley <address@hidden>