[gentoo-alt] [PREFIX] the future of Prefix

[Fabian Groffen]

With the introduction of EAPI=2, I noticed we had some problems in the
eclasses that now do logic based on the active EAPI.  I fixed all
eclasses by ignoring the "prefix" component in EAPI when they deal with
it, but of course it indicates the end of the journey here.

I've been suggested by several people in #gentoo-portage that I bring
Prefix to -dev with the obvious target to have Prefix being integrated
in mainline Portage, and hence it being its own EAPI -- even though that
won't fly since Prefix is orthogonal to any currently existing EAPI.

A direct consequence of going that route, of course is the introduction
of Prefix in gentoo-x86 ... going mainline.  I decided for myself that
those who gave me the suggestion are right.  We have Prefix for a long
while now, and if I try to objectively review myself and our project, I
think we did quite a nice job, especially considering the stats graph I
just sent out doesn't depict *all* work that's gone in the project.

So, it seems the time has come to try and prepare to write up what we
need from the people to agree on.  I've thought about my huge "GLEP in
progress", but I think it'll go nowhere for a discussion.  Instead, I
think zmedico's RFCs have been well formulated, short pieces of text
that received a in general well targetted discussion.  I think we should
try to see if we can bring the ideas behind Prefix in RFCs like that,
and then have them pushed into Portage trunk afterwards.

What you all think?  I need your help to say the least.  This seems to
me to be large scale, and not something for just a one-man show...


-- 
Fabian Groffen
Gentoo on a different level