[m-rev.] diff: exploit the new capability of switch detection

[Mark Brown]

On 20-Sep-2005, Ralph Becket <rafe at cs.mu.OZ.AU> wrote:
> Mark Brown, Tuesday, 20 September 2005:
> > 
> > As a basic courtesy to users present or future who want to make use of the
> > cutting edge compiler, I think we should set in our procedures a minimum
> > amount of time after introducing a new language feature before it can be
> > used, even at some inconvenience to ourselves.  At minimum one week, but a
> > month would be better.  I don't plan to argue this point too vehemently,
> > though -- but I did want to make this point.
> 
> It's not clear to me why a user would be checking stuff out of CVS.
> 
> If a *user* wants a more recent ROTD they should compile from the
> source distribution on the web site.

I know broadband is becoming quite common, but there still are people out
there using slow connections, and who will therefore prefer to update their
installation incrementally whenever possible.

> 
> If a *developer* wants to work with a CVS checkout, they should be aware
> that forwards compatibility is not always maintained.

They need to be more than just aware of the problem.  They need to either:

	a) regularly update and install, which raises the question "How
	regularly?", or

	b) download a new source distribution whenever the configuration
	check tells them to, which raises the above issue of download size.

Note that this has already been recognised as an issue, and we already have
some procedures in place for it [1].  But these procedures don't specify
the minimum time that I am suggesting they should.

Cheers,
Mark.

[1] http://www.mercury.cs.mu.oz.au/information/doc-latest/bootstrapping.html

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