http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=9346
--- Comment #7 from Koutheir Attouchi 2012-12-28
01:15:24 UTC ---
(In reply to comment #6)
> (In reply to comment #5)
> > (In reply to comment #3)
> > > make uninstall no longer supported so changing to enhancement and
> >
> > It makes no sense to say "uninstallation" is not supported if
> > "installation" is
> > supported! If I am able to install from source then I must be able to clean
> > up
> > my system when I choose to. Uninstallation is optional almost only in
> > malicious
> > code... Any respectful software must provide at least a basic way to
> > uninstall
> > it before upgrading it or for removing it entirely.
>
> uninstall is hard to support really because it means backing up everything
> install will overwrite. This is hard to do really. Also it is easy to
> install
> in a clean directory and just remove that directory if you want uninstall GCC.
I understand these implications (which are classic installers matters). Instead
of merely saying "it's optional" just make it clear in the README or INSTALL
files or "./configure --help" output that "If you want to uninstall gdb for
whatever reason then please install it in a clean directory to be removed
manually, because uninstallation is NOT supported.". This will make it a bit
harder to install gdb (because PATH and other environment variables will need
to be modified...) but at least it says what should be done. I think this more
correct than the "optional" reason.
