Re: [Evolution-hackers] Moving from the single mbox file format for the local folders

[Patrick Ohly <patrick ohly gmx de>]

On Wed, 2009-12-16 at 18:07 +0530, chen wrote:
> I also come across another issue, even if we start using maildir format,
> we cannot assume that multiple applications would access the data
> especially since local folders belong to evolution and would be used
> frequently. (see https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=592310 )

So you intend to go to a proprietary format because it prevents other
tools from meddling with the internal data while Evolution runs? Sure,
that's one way of solving this "problem". But remember, for several of
your users being able to have one maildir storage shared between apps is
a valuable *feature*.

To address your performance concerns regarding maildir and rescanning,
the same can be achieved by declaring that directory Evolution-internal
and not allow users to touch it with other apps - pretty much the
SKIP_LSUMMARY_CHECK env variable which is already in the code.

> > > I definitely won't switch away from maildir as my format of choice
> > > because it integrates nicely with offlineimap.
> > 
> > Sure, I think users should have that freedom. Camel's local folder
> > implementation has that built in. This new approach should be the
> > default for new users, and as option for users to migrate to it for
> > existing users. If users willingly stay with maildir or
> > 1mbox-per-folder that should also be there.
> Looking at the information gathered, am favoring Approach #2 -
> mboxfile-per-mail. I would be starting the work this week if I don't see
> any reasons to change the approach. Just want to put in the best
> possible solution :)

I still don't see the advantage and fear that Evolution will degrade
further because effort are directed towards writing new code instead of
fixing the known problems in the existing code base.

-- 
Bye, Patrick Ohly
--  
Patrick Ohly gmx de
http://www.estamos.de/