[Nix-dev] Re: Removing nulls in BuildInputs

[roconnor at theorem.ca]

On Sun, 24 Oct 2010, Ludovic Courtès wrote:

> Hello,
>
> roconnor at theorem.ca writes:
>
>> There was an idea tossed around on #nixos a few days ago that
>> mkDerivation should remove the nulls from buildInputs (and maybe other
>> items too). This would help make more consistent hashes that now
>> currently change when we do refactoring that removes an item from the
>> build input vs setting it to null.
>
> Yes, but OTOH, I think it’s a sign of sloppiness when you end up with
> nulls in ‘buildInputs’.
>
> IOW, the ‘buildInputs’ list should be built up carefully so that it
> contains exactly what’s needed.

But it is so easy to have optional build inputs by seeing some of the 
inputs to null.

The alterative is to check each build input for null and remove it.

-- 
Russell O'Connor                                      <http://r6.ca/>
``All talk about `theft,''' the general counsel of the American Graphophone
Company wrote, ``is the merest claptrap, for there exists no property in
ideas musical, literary or artistic, except as defined by statute.''