Every once in a while somebody has to speak out about the state of the union and bear the brunt of some anger... with a hope that things will change for the better.
2 years back I started out asking a question being concerned by the frustration caused to many users (and vendors alike). Frustration due to many of the useful extensions forever being in experimental mode for the longest time. I asked ... " And exactly how long is it expected to continue to stay EXPERIMENTAL ?" The response was a predictable one, expressing indifference... "Between 15 days and 15 months" http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?l=php-dev&m=103159872214635&w=2 So I decided to analyze CVS repository and posted the conclusions... http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?l=php-dev&m=103161600832402&w=2 It included an analysis of how long each of the extensions had been in that mode. To point out a few: sockets, openssl, crack, domxml *had been* in that mode for 2 years ( i.e.. more than 15months). And today they are all still experimental. So that's their 4th (experimental) birthday. Now just for the kicks lets take the case of Sockets extension and analyze its history. There was a msg on 21st feb 2002 on this mailing list. Here we see some kind of encouraging remarks about achieving stabilization by 4.2.X... http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?l=php-dev&m=101424999803151&w=2 <quote> Timeline & Stabilization ========================= I would like to fix all of this by 4.2.X. I propose that we then mark the extension as stable, and freeze the API. </quote> on Sept 6 2002, a frustrated user asked.. http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?l=php-dev&m=103134854829058&w=2 <quote> Do the maintainers of the PHP sockets extension ever intend to get their act together and cement the API, or are people who need this functionality going to be forced to rewrite their code every time there's a new point-release of PHP? </quote> and the response was... http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?l=php-dev&m=103135145531682&w=2 <quote> Which part of "EXPERIMENTAL" in the docs at [snipped url] don't you understand? If you're so desparate to have things cemented, write a patch, post it here and we'll commit it. If you don't have the skills, you might consider offering those that do some positive incentive to do it for you. </quote> Basically...do it yourself or buzz-off attitude. And this is not the only occurrence of such backlash. After some folks stepped up the pressure, very encouraging comment on sept 12 2002 that it will indeed make into production soon.... http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?l=php-dev&m=103179363830424&w=2 <quote> Most of the other work needed to mark the extension stable has been done, all that remains is that I have some small win32 work left to do. </quote> sockets, openssl, domxml are very useful extensions. Will these (and all the others) ever get out of experimental ? doesn't look like. How about the shiny new SimpleXML or sql-lite? If history is in any indicator...then I guess they will suffer the same fate. And likely that their users will also be slapped in the face. domxml has already had a super long experimental career. And now all this new stuff has gone into it. So I guess that makes it even less likely to make it out of experimental. Please don't think I am picking out these due to some vengeance for the people behind it. I am giving examples to see where we have been, where we are and are we really going anywhere. If these are experimental then why include them in the propaganda ? Just to shoo-off the people for whom all this was created in the 1st place ? Like the bank telling you that they will give you a "free" checking account. Then when you complain your money isnt totalling up to ur deposits, they shoot back at you saying ... "checking accounts are experimental and it was mentioned in the brochure" Today I see PHP5 with a set of promises that are congruent with the earlier PHP4 release. >From the php4 release I can recall some of the propaganda... - redesigned scripting engine (much faster, much better, much ...) - Under UNIX features a much smarter and generalized build process (smarter, nicer ) - enhanced object oriented programming - (now we've got it right!) - new extensions with cool new features + Java support (still experimental) + XSL (still experimental) + SOAP (still experimental) + ... The same mantra being repeated is a sign that we didn't get it right the last time we chanted that mantra....and by inductive inference this effort is also questionable. But the first few are all right to promote as they actually made it into the product, got used and are properly supported. But blowing the horn about new functionality included in experimental extensions should be deplorable and considered dishonest practice. Hopefully belts will be tightened up around the extensions and the responsibility taken up by their authors. -- Roshan -- PHP Internals - PHP Runtime Development Mailing List To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
