[Nix-dev] Re: Boost libraries

[Peter Simons]

Hi Lluís,

 > If you want to build a derivation with the derivation of an older
 > boost, you should write an expression for that, maybe in ~/.nixpkgs.

that approach is not particularly satisfying. Free software ought to be
shared. When you write a Nix expression that's useful to you, chances are
that it will be useful to others, too. Keeping that expression to yourself
means that others will have to re-invent the wheel. That's not a good idea.
Also, other people sometimes contribute fixes, patches, use-cases, and
ideas, and by doing so help improve the expression. That wouldn't be
possible if the code wouldn't be shared. The primary platform for sharing
Nix expressions is the nix-pkgs repository. So, when I write an expression,
I'd like that expression to be distributed in nix-pkgs. If that turns out to
be impossible, then I see very little point in writing a Nix expressions to
begin with; then I'd rather choose a package description format that allows
me to collaborate with others (i.e. PKGBUILD).


 > People not updating often, may end up with more than one version of boost
 > installed, so the use of disk space can be beyond the 258 MB.

You are right. People, who do not run nix-collect-garbage(1) regularly may
need more disk space than people who do.

Take care,
Peter