Re: [AD] Prefixing

[Chris <kcat@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Elias Pschernig wrote:
> If we decide that Allegro is more or less in its final state, and we
> don't expect it to live on much longer, then I'd agree, we could just
> say we don't want prefixing and cleaning of the API. But if we want it
> to be developed in the future, I think it is absolutely necessary to get
> away from the old DOS 320x200-mode API and clean it up gradually during
> 4.1.x. There's nothing stopping you from continuing to use 4.0.x. 4.0.4
> shouldn't have any major bugs anymore I think.

With one exception.. 4.1.x already has numerous improvements over 4.0 
that many people are waiting for. As I mention in the last email, 
there's no reason this has to be a one-shot deal. We can start it now 
with al_rest, and perhaps by the time 4.2 comes out we'll have maybe 
1-5% of the API fixed with some old functions in oldapi.h (and I mean 
fixed.. eg. redesigned). Then perhaps by the time 4.4 comes out, we'll 
have half of it done. It's going to take a long time to work out a 
better and cleaner API, and I highly doubt it could be done (and I would 
actively disourage doing it in) a single version branch.

> But given the agreed on
> naming scheme, it should be 4.2.0, since there's no major changes, just
> prefixing and minor API cleaning.

If we're going to do this it should be more than just prefixing and 
minor cleaning. It should be a major overhaul. We're not going to be 
able to do this again, so let's take our time and do it right.

- Kitty Cat