libpsl, python and dependecies

[Nils Breunese]

Johan Kütt wrote:

> Slightly off topic, but related to Python and dependencies. Is there a way to make a port depend on the latest stable version of Python? I’ve had many cases where one piece of software ends up requiring 2 or 3 different Python versions because the owners of its dependencies haven’t bothered to update the hard coded Python versions in their portfiles. I understand that version limiting may be required due to incompatibilities, but most of the time this is not the case.


Technically it would be easy. Create a python-latest port and let ports depend on that.

However, as a maintainer of a couple of Python-based ports I would advice strongly advice against such a dependency, because even minor version updates of Python contain breaking changes, so it’s impossible to guarantee that a port will work with tomorrow’s latest stable release.

Even actively maintained software like the Google Cloud SDK usually takes a couple of weeks/months to fully support a new minor version of Python.

If ports are lagging and can be upgraded to later versions, then please create a ticket, and a PR if you can.

Nils.