bug#25952: offloading empty machines file

[zimoun]

Hi Tobias,

On Mon, 25 May 2020 at 22:32, Tobias Geerinckx-Rice <me@tobias.gr> wrote:
> zimoun 写道：
>> This bug [1] had not been commented since the last 3 years and it has
>> been asked more info 3 weeks ago.
>
> The issue is that files such as /etc/guix/machines.scm (but this applies
> equally to /etc/guix/acl & so on) are expected to evaluate to a sexp.
>
> An empty file does not a valid sexp make, so Guix throws an prickly backtrace
> @ your face & dies.  This is unlike most other configuration formats where an
> empty file or one consisting entirely of comments is a no-op.
>
> We should decide whether ‘’ is a valid sexp (oh dear, philosophy) or throw
> something softer at people.
>
>> Therefore, I am closing.  Feel free to reopen if I misunderstand something.
>
> I think this bug should remain open until it's decided.  What you?

This bug [1] had been initially opened on March, 3rd 2017 then commented
for the first time [2] on May, 3rd 2020 and closed [3] on May, 25th
2020.  Then reopen the same day [4] with this “philosophical” question
about: is empty ’’ a valid sexp?  On May, 26th 2020 [5], I provided more
examples.

>From my understanding, «throw something softer» should be done on the
Guile side, as suggested by [6] on September, 13rd 2020.

Personally, I do not see what could be the next action [7]?  Therefore,
if no more explanations about what the issue really is and what be the
plan to fix it, I will close it.  WDYT?

All the best,
simon

1: <http://issues.guix.gnu.org/25952#0>
2: <http://issues.guix.gnu.org/25952#1>
3: <http://issues.guix.gnu.org/25952#3>
4: <http://issues.guix.gnu.org/25952#4>
5: <http://issues.guix.gnu.org/25952#6>
6: <https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/guix-devel/2020-09/msg00125.html>
7: <http://issues.guix.gnu.org/25952#8>