Re: XML dumping and GraphViz/VCG in the GCC ast-optimizer-branch

[James Michael DuPont <mdupont777 at yahoo dot com>]

--- Robert Dewar <dewar@gnat.com> wrote:
> <<Also the dump-tree-dot module dumps into a format for the non-free
> software dot, a part of graphviz. I take this is an accepted practice
> of dumping tree structures for explict usage by non-free software?
> >>
> 
> You should make no such assumption. The mere use of an intermediate
> file
> does not get around the limitations in the GPL license automatically.
> Indeed there are obvious cases where such an approach would be a
> clear
> violation of the license.
> 
> As always, you need to consult an attorney for this kind of approach.

I am not planning in any way to create non-free software, just pointing
out that the .dot files are a file format that is read by the non-free
software GraphViz. It strikes me funny that the gcc would explicitly
support a non-free software, and serve it files.

In fact with the policy of the FSF being to not use non-free software,
and to do without or replace it by free software.

But on the other hand the gcc developers seem to discourage people from
producing free software that would use the same AST information in an
external form. 

You must admit that there seems to be a double standard, or at least no
enforced standard at all. 

> <<Or is the contents of the CVS not an indication of policy at all,
> with the policy makers not enforcing them, and the cvs commiters not
> asking for permission?
> >>
> 
> Certainly the contents of the CVS is not necessarily an indication
> of policy. And most certainly no legal conclusions can be drawn
> from the contents of the CVS!

Fine.

My point is that I want to use this information for free software only.


I have been holding back out of respect for many wishes to avoid
"dangerous" software. 

All indications are that I am just wasting time here, I am the only one
who is holding back. 

The offical gcc developers are adding in more features that do exactly
what I was planning, so I have some catching up to do. I will also try
and avoid using intermediate files where I can and link the modules
statically to the gcc, as a symbol of my understanding of the issues.

I hope that my patches will be some day accepted into the gcc source
tree.

mike

=====
James Michael DuPont
http://introspector.sourceforge.net/

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