[Pkg-tcltk-devel] Tcl 8.6 as default in "jessie": XOTcl to NSF transition

[Stefan Sobernig]

Hi Sergei!

Thx for the kind reply!

>> Regarding bug #724816, we would like to initiate a transition from the XOTcl
>> to its successor NSF:
>
> Well, currently only dotlrn and openacs are the packages which depend on xotcl,
> so, if they can be ported to the new NSF then the old xotcl may be even removed
> at all (though if you're willing to maintain it the removal isn't necessary).

Well, the ones pending upload (Frankie has already been contacted by 
Héctor as for new versions of openacs and dotlrn, if I am not mistaken) 
are already compatible with NSF (i.e., XOTcl 2.0).

>>
>> As Sergei pointed out correctly, the XOTcl 1.* line does not build anymore
>> with Tcl 8.6; and we do not intend to establish and to further maintain this
>> compatibility given that there is a replacement: NSF and XOTcl 2.
>
> Then forget about my patch and replace tcl-dev and tk-dev by tcl8.5-dev and
> tk8.5-dev respectively. May be you'll have to teach configure where to find
> tclConfig.sh and tkConfig.sh (they are in /usr/lib/tcl8.5 and /usr/lib/tk8.5)
> and Tcl includes (/usr/include/tcl8.5). And make sure that xotcl doesn't call
> tclsh or wish, but uses tclsh8.5 and wish8.5 (we will drop providing tclsh
> and wish symlinks by tcl8.5 and tk8.5 packages in near future).

ok.

>
>>
>> How can we best prepare and perform the transition? Is there a chance to
>> meet the Nov 5th deadline, somehow?
>
> What will happen on November, 5?

Oh gosh, I mixed that up badly: I thought the Debian freeze is set for 
5th November 20*13*, while it is 20*14* in fact. Sorry, my bad.

> I'll be glad to review and upload the new
> packages, the longest delay I'd expect is a few weeks in the new packages
> queue. You should also open an ITP bug.

Thank you and I will file the ITP bug.

>
>>
>> 1) I have started creating a new debian package "nsf" which will contain the
>> binary and scripted components of NSF, NX, and XOTcl 2. I base this on the
>> infrastructure already established for the xotcl package (debian/*).
>>
>> I will have completed this by tomorrow evening, most probably. Can I count
>> on someone reviewing and promoting the package, then?
>
> Yes, I'll do that.

Merci!

>> Have there been critical updates to the Tcl/Tk package maintainer guidelines
>> which I should consider?
>
> Not really, except for not using tclsh and wish without depending on tcl and tk.

ok.

>> 2) I will prepare an update for the "xotcl" package, to align the
>> dependencies:
>>
>> "xotcl" will depend on: tcl 8.4/8.5, tk 8.4/8.5
>
> I'd drop 8.4 as a discontinued one.

ok

>
>> "nsf" will require: tcl 8.5+/ tk 8.5+
>
> Fir it I'd build depend on tcl-dev and tk-dev and did additional check
> using packages
> from experimental.

ok

>
>>
>> Note that "xotcl" and "nsf" (once installed) can coexist (e.g., under tcl
>> 8.5 environment) since the Tcl package versions clearly discriminate between
>> the two lines. Under 8.4 (if still relevant) and 8.6, respectively, they
>> will be mutually exclusive because of the distinct runtime dependencies.
>>
>> Is there anything I am missing from my "transition picture"?
>
> I really don't see a very much of transition (only if you want to
> remove xotcl), so
> there shouldn't be any issues.

Right now, we would like to co-maintain xotcl and nsf. We will consider 
removing xotcl once dependencies on xotcl have vanished (not necessarily 
debian package dependencies only ;)

Thank you again!

//stefan