RFE: feature to replicate gentoo use flags functionality

[mrgibson@…]

Hey, It would be really handy if:

on the configure.args line of each Portfile there was a {$UserOptions} var that was filled with the contents of a /opt/local/etc/ports/configure/{Category}/{PackageName}.{Version}|{Global} file. I was thinking the options possible for each package could be listed in a {PackageName}.options file for gui tools/control panels to use.

the default build options being specified there. It would allow us to make permanent config.args.opt changes that would be preserved (not clobbered) when we sync the main ports tree. You could then put a sync action sync-configs instead of just 'sync' to sync only config files if you really want to reset config.opts the to defaults.

This would give you the functionality of gentoo use flags without a complicated use-flag system. If you merge Version-specific options over the top of Global opts you have just a two layer flattening to do to result in the final config options.

I think this would provide a straight forward way of managing package options that would not have to be re-applied while keeping the overall system up to date.

Any comments, or oh,ba'shaws! to be directed to mrgibson@… thanks. :)

[nox@…]

variants are gentoo use flag pseudo equivalents.