Re: [rfc] Colorized output for GNU make?

[Paul Smith]

On Mon, 2011-10-10 at 23:59 +0200, Sebastian Pipping wrote:
> On 10/03/2011 06:22 PM, Sebastian Pipping wrote:
> > To re-summarize:
> > 
> >  - make does not color its output itself as of now
> > 
> >  - colorized output would help distincing output by make
> >    from output by programs involked by make, example at [1]
> > 
> >  - existing wrappers (like colormake [2]) have problems
> > 
> >  - There is a quickhack patch against make 3.82 at [3]
> > 
> >  - I am willing to keep working on that patch
> >    until you like it enough to apply it upstream
> > 
> >  - I don't know about your expectations on such a patch
> >    yet, but I need to know.
> > 
> > Please get back to me on this.  Thanks!
> 
> Another week has passed by.
> 
> Paul, can I have your opinion on this?

I have no problem with the concept of colorized output, as long as it
meets the following requirements:

      * The default is "no color" mode as now
      * The implementation is clean and portable and doesn't add lots of
        complexity to the code.  Does everything support the color codes
        you're using?  I don't want to have to link with ncurses or
        something to get portable colorization.
      * The color designation is flexible: the last thing I want to do
        is get into a situation where we are scrambling to find
        acceptable colors for those who prefer terminals with light
        backgrounds, dark backgrounds, color blind folks, etc.  I also
        don't want to have a new ~/.makerc file or something just to
        define color schemes.
      * Based on the above it seems like the code required to implement
        this will be sufficiently large that it will require copyright
        assignment to the FSF.
      * Patches based on the current CVS latest version of GNU make are
        easier for me to examine/apply/test.

Cheers!

-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Paul D. Smith <address@hidden>          Find some GNU make tips at:
 http://www.gnu.org                      http://make.mad-scientist.net
 "Please remain calm...I may be mad, but I am a professional." --Mad Scientist