[pacman-dev] [PATCH] external debug symbols

[Allan McRae]

On 12/03/10 05:56, Bernhard Beschow wrote:
> Hello pacman devs,
>
> I'm an Arch user and I really enjoy the tight integration of the KDE packages from the extra repository. Given that Arch seems to be one of the best KDE distros around, it's a pity that - unlike many other distros - Arch doesn't provide (external) debug symbols. However, these are critical for useful crash reports. Moreover, the KDE crash dialogue even prevents reporting crashes to bugzilla when no debug symbols are present.
>
> Sure, there are two obvious alternatives: 1) use kdemod, or 2) compile own packages with debug symbols. However, both have drawbacks: kdemod isn't integrated as tightly into Arch, wich means that things could break. The second option takes a lot of resources and a lot of time, especially on low-end hardware.
>
> That's why I propose that Arch should deliver extra packages with external debug symbols. To help you out, I've added support for external debug symbols to the makepkg tool [1]. BTW, my patch is based on the kdemod-version of makepkg.
>
> I've tested the patch with the kdeplasma-addons module and got a separate debug package for each split package without modifying the PKGBUILD. So I can say that it "works for me". However, it would be nice if there was a chance for the patch to get merged so it works for all Arch users.
>
> What do you think?
>
> Greetings,
> Bernhard
>
> [1] http://gitorious.org/pacman-shentey/pacman-shentey

Hi,

Sending the patch to the mailing list (or at very least a direct link) 
would have been helpful. It makes it easier for us to post comments.

Looking at your patch (what is exactly changed from the kdemod one?), it 
highlights the main problem I have with this.  Code duplication.  There 
is a lot of code that is cut and paste in two different places. 
Especially of concern is the creating of the .PKGINFO files.  this means 
any changes we make need to be made in both places.  Note that in your 
patch the changes made to creating the .PKGINFO have not made it to the 
debug package .PKGINFO creation function.

Also, this needs to consider the change in stripping on my working 
branch [1], which will hopefully be pulled to master soon...  Again, 
unification of stripping would be best.

[1] 
http://projects.archlinux.org/users/allan/pacman.git/commit/?h=working&id=f25c8b17

Allan