Re: linking libgit.a in C++ projects

cte wrote:

I'm writing a git gui for OS X using cocoa/Objective-C++, and rather
than being lame and parsing the output the various git commands, I'm
using libgit.a to provide all of the needed functionality for my app.
However, the git source uses a few reserved C++ keywords; namely
'typename', and 'new'. So, I was wondering if it is worth submitting a
patch to fix these issues... I'm asking because I'm new to the whole
open source thing, and I don't want to get yelled at by the git
maintainers for submitting stupid patches that no one in their right
mind would accept :)

Thanks!
--

The practice of avoiding C++ keywords from public C headers is
very welcome. You should send a patch and try to push it.

That said the problem can be easily avoided.

Produce a C file and header that defines some stable API to your
GUI application, that does not expose any git internal headers.
Then compile that, say git_api.c, with C compiler in Makefile
and extern "C" link that file to your C++ application. This will
completely insulate you from any git code.

This could also solve the other problem of API changing, only
the git_api.c need change, your outer GUI code stays the same.

And if you do all that maybe you can submit it for inclusion
as a: somewhat stable high-level library, for developers.
Ala git-dev

Cheers
Boaz