Introduction

Jens =?iso-8859-1?Q?Kl=F6cker?= writes:

> I have a background in designing and implementing SGML/XML processing
> software and Web-based user interfaces. My programming language
> knowledge includes Perl, ML (Ocaml), C and some (X)Emacs-Lisp. In the
> Subversion project I would like to be involved when it comes to
> writing a Perl interface to the libraries, integrate Perl into the
> server or designing and implementing a Web-interface (e.g., like
> cvsweb). I can also help in writing an (X)Emacs client.

In my opinion, Perl is a glue language; it is a disposable scripting
language. I have taken way too much Excedrin Migraine for headaches
caused by maintaining OPP (Other People's Perl). Perl should not be
used for anything really important. Therefore, I think integrating
Perl into the server is a Bad Idea. It's already being written in C
for portability; why muck things up with Perl (or any scripting
language for that matter)?

Regarding library interfaces, as much as I would like to dis Perl
again, I think we should consider writing these. After all, if we
don't, someone will. And it is not like they will not be useful. As
aweful as Perl can be, it is still a popular and powerful Free
Software and Open Source Software programming tool.

Lastly, It was my impression that a new and separate cvsweb-like
interface will be largely unnecessary in Subversion. The reason for
this being that access to a Subversion respository is over HTTP and
via mod_dav (mod_dav_svn), allowing repository trees to be examined in
a web browser.

As an aside, my solution to OPP hell is this: people just need to be
educated to be better programmers. They need to be taught that
TIMTOWTDI is an evil trap and an excuse for putting up with clever or
crappy code. The Real mantra should be The Right Tool For The Job.
They need to understand what Larry Wall was *really* talking about
when he defined laziness, impatience and hubris. They need to
understand that simplicity, clarity and generality take precedence.

Okay, I'm done.

-- 
Lee P. W. Burgess  <<!>>  Manipulate eternity. Power is a symphony:
Programmer         <<!>>  elaborate, enormous, essential.
Red Bean Software  <<!>>  Dream the moment with a fiddle in summer 
lefty@red-bean.com <<!>>  and a knife in winter.