Florian Hacker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
| I've written an enhancement for 'ls' that lists directories
| first and then all other filetypes. We found that this is immensely
| useful, especially when using colors, and I'd like to contribute it.
|
| I'd be happy to see it in future versions of the GNU fileutils.
|
| I have attached a diff based on fileutils v3.16.
Thanks for the contribution.
Here's a canned reply.
---------------------
Here are some guidelines for contributing code to the fileutils, textutils,
and sh-utils packages. You've already done some of these things.
Send patches. (send unified diffs, please -- i.e. diff -u format)
If your changes fix bugs, the bar is quite low in that I don't
need much more than to understand what the original problem
was. However, if you're adding new features, following certain
guidelines will increase the probability that your enhancements
will be integrated.
- convince me that this is a useful change/addition
(if you're adding yet another option to ls, the above is pretty hard)
- convince other people of the same thing
One way to do that is to post to gnu.bug.utils including as
much description and justification as you can. Based on the
feedback that generates, you may be able to convince me.
Once we agree the change is useful and get around to considering the
actual addition to the code, it helps if you do the following:
- base your changes on the latest test release -- currently here:
ftp://alpha.gnu.org/gnu/fetish/fileutils-4.0l.tar.gz
- follow the guidelines in the GNU Coding Standards (standards.info)
which is distributed as part of the autoconf package.
- include changes to the texinfo documentation, and be sure to update
the --help output.
- finally, you'll have to send signed copyright assignment papers
to the FSF
And you'll have to be patient and expect delays on my part.
It is unusual that I spend more than a few hours per week
on the packages I maintain.
