John Hansen wrote:
So, what's the story with readline?
There is a greyish clause in the GPL that says that linking to things normally distributed with your operating system doesn't incur the obligations of the GPL. So assuming that readline, which is GPL, is normally distributed with your operating system, you are at liberty to use it without being bound to apply the GPL to your code. Another example is the Linux kernel - you (or at least, many do, even if not you personally, I don't know your predilections :)) use it all the time, and it's GPL, but using it doesn't mean that all your apps are subject to the GPL.
BTW the GPL is all about distribution - for your own private use on your own computer, you can link whatever you like to whatever you like - the issues crop up when you try to distribute such a system to anyone else, you then become obliged to give that someone else the rights that the GPL requires. So linking to GPL (or LGPL) code is not acceptable for the PostgreSQL project itself, but might be acceptable for you personally, depending on what you're doing.
Tim -- ----------------------------------------------- Tim Allen [EMAIL PROTECTED] Proximity Pty Ltd http://www.proximity.com.au/ ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 7: don't forget to increase your free space map settings
