I don't think this is a new idea but it would be pretty awesome.
So the idea is that the compiler could check dub for libraries
that it can't find and automatically download and integrate them.
It would essentially make all of dub seem like it was a part of
the standard lib and make integrating dub into projects seamless.
Something like "import derelict.opengl3.gl3;" could automatically
trigger dub if the import was not found on any local path.
It also might need some special syntax for version specifications.
It would require some work on both sides. Obviously the compiler
would need to change but dub would have to as well, I don't think
currently there is any way to look up a dub package by an import
statement alone.
Pros:
Greatly increase ease of dub use.
Greatly increase libraries that "seem" to be a part of the std
lib.
Would solve the large vs small stdlib dilemma.
Cons:
Could degrade perceived quality of stdlib if bad dub packages got
in.
Would mean some things could not be compiled without an internet
connection.
My answers to those cons would be
1)
It might require some policing to make sure quality stays high.
Maybe even with votes on what dub packages could automatically be
picked up by this similar to how packages get into phobos but
with a much lower bar.
Also maybe a different import syntax for these imports to clearly
differentiate them so that we can draw a line between the
standard lib and dub. (personally I don't like that idea, I like
the idea of seamless integration)
2)
Normal code would still compile like normal, this would only open
up the option of automatic library download for basically the 99%
of people who always have an internet connection.
So yeah...
Thoughts?
