Re: [gentoo-user] mysql is being pulled in again!

[Alan McKinnon]

On Thursday 04 March 2010 19:07:22 Mick wrote:
> > There will be a reason why mysql is being pulled in, most likely a
> > package that must have it.
>
> If a package must have it, wouldn't the USE flag mysql switch to + ?

Your post seems to indicate a lack of understanding of how these things work.

Often-times things are not optional, that's what "must" means. USE is 
diametrically opposed to that as it has to imply a meaning of "may". If a 
package if hard-coded to use mysql, then it must have it, and putting it in 
USE in pointless.

There's no rule about this. If mysql is a hard dep, then that's the way it is. 

> > If a user wants postgres, he should install and run postgres. How would
> > this affect the presence or absence of mysql?
>
> Well, I am assuming that if postgres can do what mysql does, then it
> could work in its place.  Like if syslog-ng will do what metalog does,
> then the virtual/log-thingie will not insist in pulling in metalog.
> Anyway, the postgres is just an example of asking why are we locking
> down the choice of a database to a particular package/provider.

Again, you appear to fail to understand. metalog supports a variety of 
database backends. Not all apps are like this, some are hard-coded. If you 
want to use an app like this, you have no choice but to install mysql.

If you don't like this, then your choices number two:

1. Tough, get over it;
2. Use a different app

-- 
alan dot mckinnon at gmail dot com