On 19/12/2010 17:03, Ron (Lists) wrote:
> ===>>> Launching child to update devel/autoconf
>     devel/autoconf >> perl-5.8.9_3 >> apache-2.2.17 >> devel/autoconf >>
> perl-5.8.9_3 >> apache-2.2.17 >> devel/autoconf >> perl-5.8.9_3 >>
> apache-2.2.17 >> devel/autoconf >> perl-5.8.9_3 >> apache-2.2.17 >>
> devel/autoconf >> perl-5.8.9_3 >> apache-2.2.17 >> devel/autoconf >>
> perl-5.8.9_3 >> apache-2.2.17 >> devel/autoconf >> perl-5.8.9_3 >>
> apache-2.2.17 >> devel/autoconf
> 
> This just keeps going and going.  I've tried upgrading other ports and
> they all do the same thing (with slightly different packages).

This is a classic symptom of putting USE_FOO into a Makefile with global
scope -- typically /etc/make.conf

Don't do that.

USE_FOO flags are for port maintainers to use in port specific
Makefiles.  They do things like make the port have a dependency on
apache.  Which is no good if you apply it to /every/ /single/ /port/ in
the tree, and particularly bad when its a port that apache itself
depends on, as you end up with a dependency loop.

Dependency loops are (in Ghostbusters parlance) like crossing the
streams.  Anyone generating dependency loops deserves to be pelted with
stay-puft marshmallow, at the very least.

Instead, you want to use a WITH_FOO variable, or a WANT_FOO variable.
These are intended as user servicable parts.  For apache, that would be
something like the following to make www/apache22 the default apache port:

WITH_APACHE2=           yes
APACHE_PORT=            www/apache22

        Cheers,

        Matthew

-- 
Dr Matthew J Seaman MA, D.Phil.                   7 Priory Courtyard
                                                  Flat 3
PGP: http://www.infracaninophile.co.uk/pgpkey     Ramsgate
JID: [email protected]               Kent, CT11 9PW

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