Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!rice!uupsi!ping!gorpong
From: gorpong@ping.uucp (Gordon C. Galligher)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.perl
Subject: Re: unexec() with perl
Summary: Beware of GPL
Message-ID: <1990Nov28.122908.25542@ping.uucp>
Date: 28 Nov 90 12:29:08 GMT
References: <312@pepper.rc.nokia.fi> <109153@convex.convex.com>
Organization: The 23rd. Century
Lines: 40

In article <109153@convex.convex.com> tchrist@convex.COM (Tom Christiansen) writes:
>In article <312@pepper.rc.nokia.fi> stickler@rc.nokia.fi (Patrick Stickler RC 910) writes:
>>Has anyone already patched perl with the GNU Emacs unexec()
>>function in place of abort(). It seems that this would be the
>>thing to do for the perl dist itself - it saves us from having
>>to mess with undump!
>
>I have, and have run this way for maybe a year.
>
>If you look at PL40, if you -DUNEXEC you will get a function defined
>called myunexec(), which is the code I wrote as a front end for unexec()
>Whether it really sets things up right for YOUR architecture I don't know.
>You will have to add unexec.c from the GNU distribution.  It works for
>me.  I'm interested in hearing from others on their experiences.

I have not tried this, but I have some concerns about doing this.  As soon
as any code from GNU stuff is included, the entire work is forced to become
under the GPL.  Some of you are saying:  "That is OK, it already is."
Actually, no, it is not.  Larry uses the wording, but his interpretation of
the GPL in the README file makes some clarifications, which I believe Richard
Stallman would object to; mainly the fact that when you undump and get an 
executable you do not have to give it away (only have to give away the virgin
PERL source code; your own stuff is your own).  

I see nothing wrong with this way of looking at things and I do not think
that Richard Stallman or anyone else in FSF can complain to Larry.  But,
if you start using their code, that puts the entire work under GPL, THEIR
interpretation.  You are no longer "free" to interpret the license how you
want to.  You are FORCED to interpret it THEIR way (kind of like what
happened to the Puritans in Salem, but I digress).

I would love to have something portable to undump the a.out/core files, but
doing so at the risk of losing Larry's open-minded approach and broad 
interpretation of his license, is not worth it, IMHO.

		-- Gordon.

-- 
Gordon C. Galligher	9127 Potter Rd. #2E	Des Plaines, IL    60016-4881
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