[pacman-dev] [PATCH] Remove --asroot switch from makepkg.

[Xavier]

On Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 5:00 PM, Loui <louipc.ist at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Well, my opinion is that makepkg shouldn't hinder an admin user any
> more than say `rm -r /*` or other similar wonderfully destructive
> commands. Besides, --asroot is yet another flag, adds more code and
> complexity, and can hinder root users from even doing small non-build
> tasks. I use makepkg as another user most of the time, but I'll use it
> as root every once in awhile and I found --asroot to be a bit annoying.
>
> Warnings are nice, but when you start to block functionality it really
> becomes a babysitting feature.
>

I would never use it as root, and I agree with Allan that just issuing
a warning without stopping will probably have a much lower impact on
new users.
But I also agree with Loui that this is just a babysitting feature
that adds code and complexity. This does not really fit with Arch
general philosophy and user target.
On the other hand, the code and complexity of this option compared to
the overall code and complexity of makepkg is minor, and it is an
efficient way to educate new users.

So I am a bit divided now.. I don't care much either way.