http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=9346
--- Comment #7 from Koutheir Attouchi <koutheir at gmail dot com> 2012-12-28 01:15:24 UTC --- (In reply to comment #6) > (In reply to comment #5) > > (In reply to comment #3) > > > make uninstall no longer supported so changing to enhancement and > > > > It makes no sense to say "uninstallation" is not supported if > > "installation" is > > supported! If I am able to install from source then I must be able to clean > > up > > my system when I choose to. Uninstallation is optional almost only in > > malicious > > code... Any respectful software must provide at least a basic way to > > uninstall > > it before upgrading it or for removing it entirely. > > uninstall is hard to support really because it means backing up everything > install will overwrite. This is hard to do really. Also it is easy to > install > in a clean directory and just remove that directory if you want uninstall GCC. I understand these implications (which are classic installers matters). Instead of merely saying "it's optional" just make it clear in the README or INSTALL files or "./configure --help" output that "If you want to uninstall gdb for whatever reason then please install it in a clean directory to be removed manually, because uninstallation is NOT supported.". This will make it a bit harder to install gdb (because PATH and other environment variables will need to be modified...) but at least it says what should be done. I think this more correct than the "optional" reason.
