/opt/local/macports/software

[Chris Jones]

>> Well, I'm a grownup and willing to take these chances.  I don't
>> play with activate/deactivate.  I know of no other distros that
>> "wastes" that kind of disk space for that.  That some wish to
>> use this feature, fine.  But I need those gigs back.
>
> Removing these files will very likely break your upgrade to the next
> MacPorts version. The upgrade process will run a script that uses a
> condition you fulfilled by removing these files to trigger more work,
> which will fail because you're not actually in the situation the
> script expects you to be.
>
> You'll get to keep the pieces.
>
> TL;DR: These files are needed. Do not remove them. Do not tamper with
> MacPorts' internals.

I agree right now is a bad idea to manually nuke these files, and it 
should not be done.

I also though agree with the OP its valid to question why it is really 
needed, as it is a bit of a resource waste for some people.

I also think that comparing MP to *both* other OSX package managers, and 
other OSes, are both valid and interesting comparisons to make.

cheers Chris