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Postings from August 2001
RE: The case for SDKs
From:
Brent Dax
Date:
August 3, 2001 17:07
Subject:
RE: The case for SDKs
Message ID:
FJELLKOPEAGHOOODKEDPGEKECDAA.brentdax1@earthlink.net
# On Fri, Aug 03, 2001 at 04:44:46PM -0500, Jarkko Hietaniemi wrote:
# > On Fri, Aug 03, 2001 at 11:39:45PM +0200, Abigail wrote:
# > > On Fri, Aug 03, 2001 at 01:15:47PM -0700, Peter Scott wrote:
# > > >
# > > > I think the SDKs *are* bundles, just with explicit versions. But that they
# > > > should be blessed by a pumpking, otherwise we're making work for people who
# > > > have to ask, "Which is best, Bundle::Web::HFB, Bundle::Web::MSERGEANT,
# > > > Bundle::Web::MERLYN, or Bundle::Web::MWRIGHT???"
# > >
# > > No, no, no.
# > >
# > > The only way they should be "blessed by the pumpking" (or included
# > > in the core, or whatever "formal" stamp you can give on them) is
# > > when it's a quality stamp, and *not* a "best of".
# > >
# > > I think it's very important that there are a Bundle::Web::HFB,
# > > Bundle::Web::MSERGEANT, Bundle::Web::MERLYN, and Bundle::Web::MWRIGHT
# > > and it should be avoided at all costs that if Bundle::Web::HFB "gets
# > > stamped by the pumpking", Bundle::Web::MSERGEANT doesn't get stamped
# > > if it arrives a week later with a better interface, a more efficient
# > > implementation or with cooler graphics, just because the official seal
# > > was already given to Bundle::Web::HFB.
# > >
# > > Singling out a Bundle in a certain category kills any competition.
# >
# > Meanwhile, in planet Earth, the "Which is the best" is exactly
# > the question people will ask.
#
# And some questions are better not answered, or not answered with a
# simple answer.
#
# "Which is the best" is often a question that cannot be answered.
# It all depends what you needs are. Some people want a fast solution,
# and others want more features. And different requirements can clash.
I don't know why we should insist only one be blessed at a time. Perhaps the pumpking can note why
each one is blessed. Bundle::Web::MERLYN can be blessed as 'most complete', while
Bundle::Web::MWRIGHT can be blessed as 'fastest'. And Bundle::Web::BRENTDAX would probably suck
badly enough to avoid blessing at all. :^)
# If the pumpking is going to bless a single bundle, which one will he
# bless? The fastest? The one with the most features? The smallest memory
# print? The one with the OO interface? The one with the most maintainable
# code? And what does the pumpking do if a "better" SDK comes along next
# week? Curse the previous bundle and bless the new one? Ignore the new
# one? What does the next pumpking do if she has other ideas of "the best"?
See above--why must we assume only one can be blessed? Maybe blessing just indicates that it meets
a minimum level of quality--it installs cleanly, all modules work okay, no namespace clashes or
anything, it's not overly slow or clunky, etc.
# Do you recommend going to a single used-car dealer and buying "the best
# car" he recommends? ;-)
The pumpking has no incentive to sell you the sweetest deal for him, since he doesn't have any
monetary gain from "blessing" SDK X. I think a better comparison would be to only ask one friend
what he thought of company Y's cars. Still, though, having the pumpking bless a certain SDK is
asking an expert.
--Brent Dax
brentdax1@earthlink.net