[RFC] Removing -fpack-struct in C++ for 4.0

[Aaron W. LaFramboise]

Giovanni Bajo wrote:

> I do not think we need a full major version of deprecation time because the
> option is totally incompatible with any library, eg., v3, as it totally breaks
> the ABI and v3 itself is not built with this option. Thus, I doubt this option
> is much used in C++ code.

Could a deprecation period possibly hurt?  Is this option causing
problems of some sort such that it would be worthwhile to forego the
deprecation period?

If there is even one C++ project or developer that uses -fpack-struct,
it seems like it would be unfortunate to remove the feature without
deprecation.

I can't find any information on an official deprecation policy.  Perhaps
there should be one, maybe as part of the release procedure or release
criteria.  If a benign feature is to be removed without a deprecation
period on the grounds that it appears to be unused, it seems like this
should be in accord with some agreed on policy.

Aaron W. LaFramboise