Page 1 of 1
IDE - List thirdparty libraries used by code
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:13 am
by Joakim Christiansen
When using PB commands to write a program different third-party compiled code will be included in the executable or in forms of DLL's (depending on functions used). Some open source, some not (not that it matters)? All with different kinds of licenses that may or may not need to be included with your software if you release it.
So wouldn't a function in the IDE which outputs a list of used third-party libraries and a link to their website and/or license make sense to have? Me as a programmer would certainly like that, because I don't want to risk pissing someone off...
Re: IDE - List thirdparty libraries used by code
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 1:28 am
by le_magn
+1
Re: IDE - List thirdparty libraries used by code
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 2:01 am
by PB Fanatic
How would the IDE know which license a third-party lib uses, if it uses one at all?
Re: IDE - List thirdparty libraries used by code
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 2:50 am
by Shield
PB Fanatic wrote:How would the IDE know which license a third-party lib uses, if it uses one at all?
Depending on the PB commands used in the project / source.
Re: IDE - List thirdparty libraries used by code
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 3:08 am
by Shield
Well, he says "PB commands". Of course it would only work with native procedures,
as there is no way to know what kind of third-party libraries custom functions may use.
Re: IDE - List thirdparty libraries used by code
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 3:08 am
by PB Fanatic
I thought Joakim's request was so that if (for example) a third-party lib command uses JPEG compression, then the IDE should link to the JPEG license file. Or maybe he means just link to the third-party lib's license itself?
Re: IDE - List thirdparty libraries used by code
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 7:45 pm
by Joakim Christiansen
Shield wrote:Well, he says "PB commands". Of course it would only work with native procedures,
as there is no way to know what kind of third-party libraries custom functions may use.
Indeed.
PB Fanatic wrote:I thought Joakim's request was so that if (for example) a third-party lib command uses JPEG compression, then the IDE should link to the JPEG license file. Or maybe he means just link to the third-party lib's license itself?
When it comes to third-party "user libs" you've added yourself to your PureBasic installation I guess it would be up to the developer to disclose whether it uses third-party code or not, the PB team can not be responsible for that.
But when it comes to the inbuilt PB commands/language using third-party code I think this should be able to be disclosed by using a special compiler flag and by the PB IDE itself when clicking a button to receive that information. In today's "open source world" I think this is important to respect.
EDIT:
I see that the information is at least provided under "Legal Information" in the help file (but it is easy for the common PB developer to miss). So it would still be handy to have a function built into the IDE for informing you about what is used and the respecting licenses.