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> Why do we even need package managers to install stuff? Because it's nice to not have to write every bit yourself and end up with your own package manager any
by jimktrains2 9y ago
> Why do we even need package managers to install stuff?
Because it's nice to not have to write every bit yourself and end up with your own package manager anyway. (e.g. I'm not going to rewrite a ProtBuf lib for each project, I'll reuse my same code, but want to propogate update and bug fixes between projects.)
I'm less annoyed by libraries and package managers and more annoyed by "libraries" like leftpad and package managers like....well, most package managers. Here's hoping Nix or an intellectual decedents take hold and become more useful and universal. (OK, OK Cargo and RPM aren't that bad. Apt is OK, but too often leads to inconsistent states.)
- AnIdiotOnTheNet 9y agoWell like I said, it's a difference in mindset. For the most part I think a lot of the things people pull in dependencies for aren't actually that complicated, especially for the limited use they have for them. I think package managers have made things much worse, because if you're going to have dependencies you shouldn't have such a complicated relationship with them that you need a tool like a package manager to deal with it, but package managers encourage that behavior. I don't think we should need things like Nix just to be able to put together a stable and consistent system.