Useless ChangeLog entries

Tim Josling tej@melbpc.org.au
Mon Mar 6 11:20:00 GMT 2000


When you document a change, it is most helpful to document what
you are up to, not just what you have changed. For example:

	SR   R0,R0    Set R0 to 0 // no use at all

	SR   R0,R0    Initialize error count // aha!

Often we see Changelog entries that add nothing to the patch. Int
his typical example chosen at random we can see that rtl_expr is
removed from the patch - the changelog entry adds nothing to this
although later of course it does at least tell you who made the
change. What is left as an exercise for the reader is - why? 

Log message:
        * function.h (struct sequence_stack): Remove rtl_expr.
        (struct emit_staus): Likewise.
        (seq_rtl_expr): Remove.
	...

Can I suggest that people put some comment on what they are up to
in their changelog entries. I could be:

- "Tidying up cse-elimination code"
- "Fixing problem with stack popping when a function result is a
parameter to another function"
- "Converting c++ to use garbage collection"

The addition of a few words would save me, and I am sure a lot of
other people, a lot of time.

Tim Josling


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