bug#15602: Compiling several files in the same session [2.0.9]

[Ludovic Courtès]

Andy Wingo <address@hidden> skribis:

> On Tue 21 Jun 2016 14:01, address@hidden (Ludovic Courtès) writes:
>
>> Andy Wingo <address@hidden> skribis:
>>
>>> On Sun 13 Oct 2013 15:51, address@hidden (Ludovic Courtès) writes:
>>>> I think the right thing would be to use a separate module hierarchy in
>>>> the dynamic extent of ‘compile-file’, somehow, such that all module side
>>>> effects are isolated.
>>>
>>> I don't think this is going to happen, for what that's worth :/
>>
>> What do you mean?
>>
>> Global state held in global variables is Bad.  To me, this is clearly an
>> area where things can and should be improved.  In a live-hacked,
>> long-running system, that ‘compile-file’ modifies the global state in
>> arbitrary ways is not just a theoretical problem.
>>
>> WDYT?
>
> Maybe you are right.  Maybe we need completely new data structures in
> the module subsystem to support excursions in which we make private
> changes to the module tree, and in which we can "commit" modifications
> to the main tree when they are intended to be installed globally.  Very
> tricky to get right though.
>
> My "I don't think this is going to happen" expressed a guess as to our
> ability to get this done, time- and interest-wise.  How much are you
> able to work on this?

I feel being cornered, which makes me feel bad.

I think it’s reasonable and healthy to discuss, as a group, what’s worth
fixing and how.

Ludo’.