Re: Meaning of `source code'
From: Philippe Troin <email@example.com>
> Well, the question is, is smalleiffel capable of compiling itself ?
> If yes, then they're no problem. Even if the preffered form for making
> modifications to it is the Eiffel source, and you just have the C source
> to bootstrap it, it should be ok.
I think you've read the GPL incorrectly. He can be distributed the intermediate
C code for use in bootstrapping the compiler, but he then has the right to ask
for the Eiffel source code in machine-readable form.
This is exactly the same as if he had been distributed a program in binary
form only, and then later on he went back to ask for the source. The person
who had distributed to him the binary program would be obligated to provide
that source on request.
> This is almost like saying that GCC is not DFSG-compliant because you need
> an other C-compiler to compile it (at least the first time, for bootstrapping).
The chicken-or-egg problem is irrelevant. The DFSG asks that all components
be build-able under Debian's free software components, but says nothing about
the way these programs were first bootstrapped.
Can you get your operating system fixed when you need it?
Linux - the supportable operating system. http://www.debian.org/support.html
Bruce Perens K6BP firstname.lastname@example.org NEW PHONE NUMBER: 510-620-3502
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