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---
GLEP: 17
Title: Resolution for Aging EBuilds
Author: Caleb Tennis <caleb@gentoo.org>
Type: Standards Track
Status: Deferred
Version: 1
Created: 2003-11-21
Last-Modified: 2014-01-17
Post-History: 2003-11-24
Content-Type: text/x-rst
---


Abstract
========

Many of the ebuild scripts found within Gentoo's Portage have come as a direct
result of user submission via Gentoo's Bugzilla interface.  However, a large number
of open ebuild requests remain in Bugzilla.  This GLEP attempts to resolve these
requests.

Status
======

Timed out


Motivation
==========

As of the first draft of this GLEP, there are 1517 EBUILD bug requests in
Gentoo's bugzilla database.  These requests generally fall into three categories:

1. The package is important to Gentoo users, but has simply has not yet made
its way into Portage.

2. The package is mostly unimportant to Gentoo users

3. No ebuild has been provided with the bug request.

Leaving these requests open does not help Gentoo.  Not only does the bug count
become artificially inflated, but bug maintenance also becomes more difficult adding
to open requests that developers must sift through.

Furthermore, having a policy in place as to how ebuild bug requests are handled is
important for consistency and accountability.

Rationale
=========

Portage simply cannot contain an automated ebuild for every software package available.
Ebuilds that are included are done so mostly based on the whim and knowledge of
developers.  Many software packages are of interest only to a small subset of end users,
and as such would be a misuse of resources by including in Portage.


Implementation
==============

This implementation applies only to requests which have been idle in the database
for an extended period of time.  The recommended time is *90* days.

After this period, the bugs should be handled in the follow manner:

* The bug should be closed as a WONTFIX
* The following note should be included in the description:
  ``No developer has sponsored the ebuild within 90 days of request.
  Closing per GLEP policy #xx``


Repercussions
=============

The (systematic) denial of the inclusion of ebuilds into the Portage tree may leave
some users to feel slighted because their ebuild was not accepted into Portage.
This is an unfortunate side effect of a system that relies on acceptance or denial.


Future
======

It may be desirable to provide an official repository for abandoned ebuilds to go.
Any attachments to these bug reports could be placed here, so that the author's effort
has not gone in vain.


Backwards Compatibility
=======================

No current policies exist that interfere with this document.


References
==========

.. [#GLEP2] GLEP 2, Sample ReStructuredText GLEP Template, Goodyear,
   (http://glep.gentoo.org/glep-0002.html)


Copyright
=========

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0
Unported License.  To view a copy of this license, visit
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.