springrts-devel (0.81.2.2): new port submission

[daftalx@…]

This Portfile brings the Spring RTS (3D Real-Time Strategy game) engine to MacPorts. This engine is open-source and is greatly inspired from the popular Total Annihilation game (1997).

This port is tagged "-devel" as the Portfile is intended for developer and beta-testers use (though the engine already runs quite fine). It will fetch & build the latest source from the official git repository. This port installs an executable called "spring", however the port is named springrts (so is the official homepage) not to overlap with the existing spring development framework (also on MacPorts).

Once installed, various mods and maps are available for download at springrts.com (both single- and multi-player).

[daftalx@…]

springrts-devel @0.81.2.2 Portfile

[ryandesign (Ryan Carsten Schmidt)]

Replying to daftalx@…:

This port is tagged "-devel" as the Portfile is intended for developer and beta-testers use (though the engine already runs quite fine).

If this is an unstable version, that's fine; if this is a released version, then the port should just be called "springrts" (no "-devel").

It will fetch & build the latest source from the official git repository.

This is not ok; the port must retrieve and build a specific version. Is there a reason why the port could not just download the tarballs they distribute? That would be preferable.

Also, I'm not sure "games" is the best primary category for this port, since this port is not a game, but a game engine; "devel" might be a better primary category. "games" could possibly stay as a secondary category.

[daftalx@…]

Replying to ryandesign@…:

Thx for the quick reply. So to make things a bit more clear, I just wanted to give more details ( hope they answer your remarks, and will no doubt raise new ones :) ):

Replying to daftalx@…:

This port is tagged "-devel" as the Portfile is intended for developer and beta-testers use (though the engine already runs quite fine).

If this is an unstable version, that's fine; if this is a released version, then the port should just be called "springrts" (no "-devel").

To make a long story (not so) short, Spring can be played standalone for single player games, or online via multiplayer lobbies (I'm also working on porting one here soon). For online play, the lobby ensures that all players run the same official (i.e. latest tarball release) version of Spring. Via MacPorts, that would turn out to be the "springrts" (without -devel) port, which would work as you say (I'm still testing it a bit before submitting here).

It will fetch & build the latest source from the official git repository.

This is not ok; the port must retrieve and build a specific version. Is there a reason why the port could not just download the tarballs they distribute? That would be preferable.

The "-devel" version is intended for devs and beta-testers to try out latest developments and improvements to the engine. There is no "dev-oriented tarball" released as such. Once a dev pushes new stuff, we call out our beta-testers to update the code and try it out. In this context the "git fetch" option was prefect (and in line with what is done on other platforms). I definitely don't mind changing that though, just let me know what could be the best alternative... The build version for instance isn't correct obviously, could I use epoch with a full time and date info ?

Actually, out of curiosity, if the {git,svn,cvs...} aren't good options for "-devel" ports, why are they supported in Portfiles ? Just want to make sure I get the big picture, to avoid bothering you guys again about it :)

Also, I'm not sure "games" is the best primary category for this port, since this port is not a game, but a game engine; "devel" might be a better primary category. "games" could possibly stay as a secondary category.

The Spring RTS is named "engine", though it runs as a full standalone app with a OpenGL/SDL GUI (and it's the general name gamers use, regardless of how they play it). Upon run, a ".spring" directory in created in the home dir. This directory is used to store played games, and the user can store there downloaded mods and bots, which are basically small text files specifying the game scenario (in contrast to HL-type mods for instance). The word "engine" might have been a bit misleading here, but clearly there will be no "ports" for maps/mods later, which are otherwise available from a number of repositories with tens of competing versions. Again, no big deal to change a tag, I just know for sure that interested gamers will definitely look into the games category as soon as they hear "hey ! Spring is out on Mac" ;)

[chrstphrchvz (Christopher Chavez)]

Seeing as neither this nor the non-devel port (#23556, #25550) were ever added, I think at a minimum this request for the -devel port can be closed.