[gmpi] Re: Instruments done, moving on to "Plugin Files"

> >There has been some debate on whether external metadata is needed or is
> >even a good idea.  The archives show concerns with slowness of loading
> >dlls and crashiness of loading dlls as reasons.

I thought the only person that argued against it was Tim, and I'm still
not sure why. Also, you missed the legal reasons.

> >My position (I think) is that metadata belongs in the shared object.
> >Whether you access the data via open() and read() or you have load and
> >call a probe entry point is irrelevant.  Probing should NOT be done on
> >every startup, and I think it is perfectly reasonable to expect a host to
> >cache the results of a probe.

Why would you want to dig inside an object file? We allready have a
directory to keep files in, so why not use it? I've not seen a single
benefit from storing the metadata in the object file.
 
> >>  Req 88:   Plugin metadata must be available without loading/linking a
> >>  plugin dll.
> >
> >This is an extension of the previous.  I don't find much value in it.
> >Arguments...
> 
> its also not optimal to expect plugins to have to be instantiated or
> otherwise "created" in order to discover metadata. any self-respecting
> host is going to cache the results on one or more operating
> systems. why force that on hosts? just stuff the metadata in some
> text-based format, and be done with it.

Agreed. Its not so much of a problem with PIC shared objects, but on some
platforms (eg. windows IIRC) shared objects are relocated byte-by-byte
every time thier opened by the loader, so its quite expensive.

- Steve 

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Generalized Music Plugin Interface (GMPI) public discussion list
Participation in this list is contingent upon your abiding by the
following rules:  Please stay on topic.  You are responsible for your own
words.  Please respect your fellow subscribers.  Please do not
redistribute anyone else's words without their permission.

Archive: http://www.freelists.org/archives/gmpi
Email gmpi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx w/ subject "unsubscribe" to unsubscribe

Other related posts: