Why does it have to be so complicated to use libraries? To use libraries, you need to learn how to operate half a dozen build tools and git because each library author distributes their library differently. If figuring out how to install an IDE with clojure wasn't bad enough, now you need to figure out how to install and use each of the tools with it.
I'm not saying build tools are useless, on the contrary. It's just that most of the time, we want to sling two or three libraries together and code. Right? There is no need to start a project with a bunch of template files and an elaborate directory structure and to start configuring dependencies and to rely on some magic happening that makes your program run. I think we over-engineered the build process to support the big projects and forgot the common case. Most projects are simple. Let's remove this incidental complexity by returning to simplicity. Keep the build tools for the heavyweights and get back in touch with your libraries. Instead of having a complicated installation guide for your library, have a Download section in your site. Have there a link to the latest stable version of your library as a jar file or, if necessary, a zip file with your jar and and all the necessary dependency jars (sane library authors won't mind). For a zip, shortly describe what's in it - library names and versions, and links to their sites. That's it. I think most JVM users know or can quickly figure out how to take jars and put them in their project's classpath. It's simple to do with all IDEs (or without one) and there is no need to learn or install additional software or edit configuration files. Starter scripts should include in the classpath all jars in the current directory or jars/ directory by default. Instead of managing libraries inside a dependencies file, you do it directly with the jar files. If the project gets too big, bring in the build tools. What are your thoughts on this issue? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Clojure" group. To post to this group, send email to clojure@googlegroups.com Note that posts from new members are moderated - please be patient with your first post. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to clojure+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/clojure?hl=en
