g.extension: provide option to use local source code instead of SVN

[mlennert]

It would be a nice addition to g.extension to allow the use of local source code (e.g. a local directory) for the installation of a module. This would provide a unified way of installing extensions, even those one does not, yet, see fit for public distribution.

Moritz

[hamish]

? both source URL and compiled destination are configurable through the svnurl= and prefix= options.

The GRASS_ADDON_PATH environment variable is also respected if it is set.

Is there something else which would be helpful to use beyond that? e.g. avoid having to set svnurl= http://localhost/something and instead do srcdir=/path/to/...? In that case why not just set up an alias:

alias gmake65='make MODULE_TOPDIR=/usr/src/grass/svn/grass65/'

and then run gmake65 from your source dir?

Hamish

ps- I think it's a fine thing to use the addons repo as a module incubation & development area; my method is to simply not activate the Makefile until it's ready for wider consumption. see also the grass sandbox repo for personal (but open) experimentation.

[mlennert]

Replying to hamish:

? both source URL and compiled destination are configurable through the svnurl= and prefix= options. The GRASS_ADDON_PATH environment variable is also respected if it is set. Is there something else which would be helpful to use beyond that? e.g. avoid having to set svnurl= http://localhost/something and instead do srcdir=/path/to/...? In that case why not just set up an alias: alias gmake65='make MODULE_TOPDIR=/usr/src/grass/svn/grass65/' and then run gmake65 from your source dir?

Having a unified tool makes it easier for newbies. Using g.extension the user does not have to think about MODULE_TOPDIR.

svnurl= http://localhost/something implies a web server on localhost, no ? Again an unnecessary hurdle IMHO.

The question came up on the French user's list where someone would like to use the r.traveltime addon which is not in svn. It would be nice to be able to tell such a user to just download the .tgz, and then tell g.extension where to find it and have g.extension handle the rest.

In this particular case, the authoer of the addon has agreed to put it on the svn server which I hope to have the time for end of the week or next week.

Moritz