Re: [sigc] Linking dynamically with SigC++ (now rather: License)

[Ulrich Eckhardt <eckhardt satorlaser com>]

On Friday 07 July 2006 15:43, Aristid Breitkreuz wrote:
> Am Freitag, den 07.07.2006, 09:27 +0200 schrieb Ulrich Eckhardt:
> > >      2. Linking libsigc++ statically, at least on Windows or other
> > >         technically restricted platforms (I dislike Windows-DLLs).
> >
> > Nope. Even on a theoretical platform where you can't link dynamically (MS
> > Windows isn't one) you could still ship at least compiled objectfiles to
> > allow the user to relink their code with a changed libsigC++. The fact
> > that you dislike win32 DLLs and that they are inferior to Unix shared
> > objects in some aspects doesn't affect the users' freedoms.
>
> What changes are you thinking about?

Changes? You mean changes to libsigC++ that the users might want to make? I'm 
not thinking of any, except perhaps that they might want to use a version 
optimised for their very processor. This is just about libsigC++ though, the 
LGPL was written with code in general in mind and there the freedom gained 
might be more.

> So if a user really wants to link completely statically, he can, at
> least with the currently proposed exception mechanism (or even
> without?). He just has to copy all code into headers, maybe make it
> templates or split into functions of less than 10 lines of length and
> done he is.

Possibly, yes.

> What is the point in allowing any user to replace versions of the
> libsigc++? (This is no rhetoric question.) This is already hardly
> possible right now because the header parts of the library already are
> quite major. 

I'm not sure the header parts are really a major part. Indeed, they make up 
most of the sourcecode of libsigC++, but much of this boils down to nothing 
at all in the final executable because it is inline and optimised out. Well, 
at least I hope so, I admit I didn't measure.

> Please don't take me wrong, I understand if you want to 
> protect some freedoms, I just dare ask why - if I think the taken
> measures impose disadvantages.

I don't think that there is much real advantage gained from the freedom to 
change libsigC++.

Uli

****************************************************
Visit our website at <http://www.domino-printing.com/>
****************************************************
This Email and any files transmitted with it are intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any reading, redistribution, disclosure or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient please contact the sender immediately and delete the material from your computer.

E-mail may be susceptible to data corruption, interception, viruses and unauthorised amendment and Domino UK Limited does not accept liability for any such corruption, interception, viruses or amendment or their consequences.
****************************************************