On 07/07/2017 12:32 PM, William L. Thomson Jr. wrote: > I have been playing with some package sets and I like the concept of > sets quite a lot. However there is one big drawback. You cannot use a > package set in a profile. Or at least I do not think you can. I have > looked into it a bit and does not seem like it is possible. > > I know I can create a meta ebuild and use it like a package set. I > think it would be useful to have package sets be able to be used in a > profile like meta ebuilds. It would likely reduce the need or use of > meta packages. Not sure if there is any benefit to that approach over a > set. > > I think sets have benefits over meta packages. This was the most > comprehensive document on sets, benefits, uses, etc. Other than the > general docs on the wiki. > https://makuro.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/intro-to-portage-sets/ > > I would really like to be able to use package sets in profiles. I > think of use and benefit to others as well. >
There is actually a huge functional difference between the two that you are missing here. A meta package defines its dependencies in full dependency syntax. This means you can specify versions, USE flag dependencies, make packages dependent on USE flags, etc. A package set is just a list of packages (potentially constrained by version. TTBOMK, there is no inclusion of any USE flag functionality in sets. Additionally, let's say you have a more complicated dependency like || ( A B ), I don't think there is a way to describe that in a package set at all. I'm not sure I see the merit in pushing for package sets in the bulk of cases for this reason. Maybe there is some scenario where package sets are a better option, but you haven't enumerated what that might be (and I'm not really interested in brainstorming until I come up with one, so I'll wait for one frmo someone else) Of course, my sets knowledge is a little limited compared to some people, so if something I've said about package sets is incorrect, please feel free to correct it. -- NP-Hardass
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