bugfixing for users, was: What backend should be the default now on -nix?

[MJ Ray]

Gregory John Casamento <greg_casamento@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Yes, they can untangle my bugfixes.   For each bug I discover I document
> exactly what was fixed in the ChangeLog and I also, if a savannah bug exists,
> document the cause there AND in the ChangeLog.   Also we do have a CVS mailing
> list which shows diffs when something is committed.

Few of the bugs which have hindered me, or that I investigated on the
bug tracker, have been fixed by you. That's probably my bad luck. It
sounds like you are a good developer for users to encounter.

The CVS mailing list is not much help with bugfixes today, as commit
log messages often don't reference bugs or are combined unrelated commits.

> Also, if you can point me to anywhere in the GNU Coding Standards where it 
> says
> I must do one bugfix for each commit, I'll start doing that.

Nothing in the Coding Standards documents handling bugfixes at all,
as far as I can tell. I suspect this might be intended for NEWS,
but I could be wrong.  I noticed that the GNUstep Coding Standards
directs developers *not* to give reasons for changes in ChangeLogs.
http://www.gnustep.org/resources/documentation/Developer/CodingStandards/coding-standards_2.html#SEC2

I suggest the Debian Developer's Reference as one example of good
practice in handling bugs.
http://www.uk.debian.org/doc/developers-reference/ch-best-pkging-practices.en.html#s-bpp-debian-changelog

> What level, precisely, are you talking about releasing patches at?  Doing it 
> at
> the individual bug level can get pretty tiresome, although this would allow
> other developers to pick and choose which changes go in, but it might become 
> an
> issue since changes are sometimes interdependent.

Individual bug level, but only for potentially serious bugs found in release
versions. Would that still be too awkward?

["Fixed in CVS" closes]
> None of mine ever do, and I don't agree with this practice. 

I hope your good habits are contagious.

Best wishes,
-- 
MJR/self