regex & autoconf

[arnold@infographix.infographix.com (Arnold Robbins)]

> What do people think would be easier/better:  grabbing Sam's regexp
> code for Runes, or modifying some other regexp library to use Runes
> rather than characters?

As someone with experience with both GNU regex and GNU autoconf (I'm
the gawk maintainer), let me say:

1) DO use sam's regexp package. You do NOT want to dive into regex.[ch]
   (unless you're really into masochism and self-flagellation in a big way).
   Sam's code is already freely available, and already does Runes. Having
   to teach GNU regex about runes would waste valuable time that could
   be spent getting other stuff going in wily.

2) I think that Autoconf is not as bad as everyone is guessing. There IS
   a learning curve, primarily because the Autoconf manual is rather poorly
   organized.  But well-Autoconfed software compiles and runs on lots and
   lots of Unix boxen.  I'm currently in the throes of doing it for gawk,
   and while it is a fair amount of work up front, I definitely feel that
   it's well worth it.

   Can you live without Autoconf, sure.  But be prepared to spend time
   supporting whatever configuration method you come up with. At least
   with Autoconf, there's support of sorts available from others using it.

Just my two cents worth.

Arnold Robbins --- Software Engineer    Phone:  +1-404-523-4944
InfoGraphix Technologies, Inc.          Fax:    +1-404-523-4882
250 Williams Street, Suite 1120         E-mail: arnold.robbins@infographix.com
Atlanta, GA 30303                       Coming Soon: How To GAWK Politely