Checksum failure with ncbi-tools, then missing getfeat.

[Matt Scilipoti]

On 1/22/08, Ryan Schmidt <ryandesign at macports.org> wrote:
> On Jan 21, 2008, at 23:25, Matt Scilipoti wrote:
>
> > Randy,
> > Thanks for your instruction.  I have created ticket #14028 and
> > included michael.thon at yahoo.com in the CC.
> >
> > More below.
> >
> > On 1/21/08, Ryan Schmidt wrote:
> > ... snipped ...
> >>
> >>> For future reference...
> >>> A google search shows that the checksum error has occurred before.
> >>> This is one of the reasons many libraries have started including
> >>> version numbers in the file name.  This practice also ensures that
> >>> prior versions of the libraries remain available.
> >>>
> >>> Thanks for attention in this matter.
> >>
> >> That's great advice, but it would do more good if sent to the
> >> developers of ncbi_tools, not to the MacPorts project, which is
> >> merely at the developers' mercy.
> >
> > I would like to assist the port maintainer by directing him to some
> > MacPort specific guidelines, but I was unable to find them on the
> > wiki.  I have noticed that python, xfce, and a few others are using a
> > similar convention in MacPorts.  Perhaps there are other measures
> > available in MacPorts?  I saw that I could install a particular
> > version, but I could not find how to list the available versions.
>
> Available versions? It's only possible to install the version of the
> software specified in the portfile. If a newer version is available,
> the portfile should be updated by its maintainer. It is not possible
> (without a bit of fiddling outside of MacPorts) to install earlier
> versions.
>
Sorry.  I assumed that the @version option in the port command allowed
me to specify a version.  I wanted to try it, but I couldn't find a
port that listed any prior versions.  Hence, my question about listing
previous versions.

> What convention are you observing in python, xfce...?
>
Including the version number in the file name:
python: python21 thru python30, py25-*, py30-*
perl5.8
xfce4

> Guidelines for writing ports and for using MacPorts are in the guide
> at http://guide.macports.org/ . If it needs to be updated with new
> information, I'm sure the guide authors would appreciate feedback. A
> ticket can be filed for documentation improvements as well.
>
Yes.  That's where I looked.  While it does state that the MacPort
system allows for multiple versions
(http://guide.macports.org/#internals.images), it doesn't discuss how
to list which versions are available, or how to specify which version
you wish to use.  I assume you manually update your local portfile:
version AND checksums.  I guess I have to tell it not to use the
listed master_sites as well (either in the portfile or using
sources.conf).  Or should I bypass all these MacPort layers and adjust
the hardlink directly (ie: activate phase)?

I also don't see any information which would guide a maintainer during
a port upgrade.

If these sections exist, please direct me to them.  Otherwise, I will
formulate these questions/suggestions into an enhancement ticket (or
tickets).

Thanks again for helping someone who is lost, but trying.