Using scripting languages for KDE4 main modules

[Simon Edwards]

On Sunday 01 October 2006 17:47, Leo Savernik wrote:
> Am Sonntag, 1. Oktober 2006 13:07 schrieb Boudewijn Rempt:
> > > For the latter case, there's no decision on official language, since
> > > there doesn't have to be. Applications can be written using any binding.
> > > But, as this thread has proven, the basic applications must be in C++ so
> > > that memory consumption stays low.
> >
> > I haven't seen "proof", just some assertions, but aside from that, hadn't
> > we better define a list of "the basic applications" then -- Leo's list is
> > obviously much too large. If the list of basic applications for which C++
> > is required, then people who prefer a little more efficiency in their
> > development process know what's left for them.
> 
> My list is purportedly encompassing to prevent this:
> - A writes support for new important formula for kspread in ruby
> - B writes new important dialog for kspread in python
> - C writes new important other functionality for kspread in fooblargh

Banning scripting languages in this case will NOT somehow magically convert 
features A, B and C into streamlined C++ code. What it will mean is that 
those features will most likely NOT get written at all and no one will have 
the option using those features if they can afford the extra RAM, disk etc 
etc.

Allowing scripting languages isn't going to magically turn any C++ into 
Python, Ruby or whatever. People are always free to step up and contribute 
C++ code. Nothing changes there. Like any new dependancy, developers will 
need to weigh up the pros and cons and decide for thier project if the cost 
is worth the benefit, and how best to use it.

It is my opinion that better support for non-C++ languages is critcal for the 
future success and development of KDE and the projects based around it. KDE 
offers a lot of functionality today, but there is still a universe of 
utilities and applications, may of which are niche, that people depend on and 
which still need to be written.

cheers,

-- 
Simon Edwards             | KDE-NL, Guidance tools, Guarddog Firewall
simon at simonzone.com       | http://www.simonzone.com/software/
Nijmegen, The Netherlands | "ZooTV? You made the right choice."