Re: [Arx-users] init-tree failure in arx2

[Kevin Smith]

Walter Landry wrote:
> Kevin Smith <address@hidden> wrote:
> > It created a ,,log file, and an empty _arx directory. Again, it would be 
> > nice if such things weren't left behind if the operation is aborted.
>
> Actually, after init-tree runs, that is exactly what is supposed to be
> left behind.  init-tree creates the _arx control directory and the log
> file.

Oh. Re-reading the arx2 tutorial, I see that this is true. (in arx1 it 
would have created a ++ file, apparently) Having been burned earlier by 
orphaned ,, files, I just assumed this was another problem. It will take 
me a while to get used to arx adding this clutter.

From a process flow standpoint, I am not used to rcs's wanting me to 
create my log entry before I do the work. I am used to it being part of 
the commit command. Which it normally can be in arx, but not for init-tree.

I also have an irritant that gedit always creates a backup file (ending 
with ~) which I then have to manually delete.

Is there a option to prevent arx from creating log files, and just 
always require me to use -s when I commit?

> > $ arx history
> > Problems with a filesystem call
> > boost::filesystem::directory_iterator constructor
> > /home/kevins/www/light-hand/_arx/patch-log
>
> This is a bug.  There is no history, so it shouldn't print out
> anything.  Once you commit, then "history" should work fine.

Indeed it does. Even a commit before adding any files works, although 
the resulting history is a bit dull and slightly confusing to a newbie:

$ arx history
address@hidden/light-hand
$

Oh. I now see that init-tree automatically adds all my files. I didn't 
expect that. And I hadn't had a chance to set up my ignore flags to omit 
~ backup files. The behavior isn't "wrong", but as a newbie, it is yet 
another surprise. Perhaps the init-tree command could print a summary of 
what it did, to give me a chance to fix it before I commit?

My background, by the way, is mostly CVS, but I also played with 
monotone for a few days, and used darcs for several months. I also 
suffered through VSS for years, PVCS for months, and used a couple 
ancient rcs systems on MS-DOS way back when.

I hope this usability feedback is helpful. I'm still optimistic about 
ArX becoming my primary rcs tool, so I'm not trying to bash it or 
anything. As a developer, I always want to know what users (and 
especially new users) really think.

Thanks,

Kevin