Re: [PDO] Re: [PHP-DEV] PDO 2: Request for Comments

Hi David,

> I think there are 2 interpretations of responsibility here. One is the
> sense of "does this code do what I say it does", and both the PHP and PDO
> licenses say (in the same capitalised sections) that the code is 'as-is'.
> And this is how I interpret Bill's statement. Sense number two is "I say
> that I own this code (and I'm giving everyone permission to use it
> freely)". Do you think PHP devs understand one or other or neither of
> these? (I'm trying to better understand where we diverge.)

I'd say ownership is an issue, because we don't really deal with that 
concept in php.net. It just doesn't arise, it's not part of what we're 
about. We're giving our code away, end of story.

> Not sure in what way you see CLAs as part of an attempt by companies to
> take over the PHP process.

Did you check out those old summary links I posted, from when Wez tried to 
keep a clean IP for a core PDO driver? This was an 'insider' trying to keep 
something clean because he knew it had the potential to be of commercial 
interest (and had been greatly misled, but let's not go there). We ended up 
with 1/3rd of the reported bugs in PDO-related stuff coming from that 
extension, simply because php.net folk other than Wez were not permitted to 
touch it and he was too busy to handle it all himself.

 As it says in the FAQ, the CLA is only intended
> to be applied to PDO, and speaking for IBM. having a CLA would greatly
> help us (a) put some database developers to work on PDO in the open
> community, and (b) distribute the PDO code.

I know. The problems with this in the past have been a) not being able to 
fix issues in PHP core extensions even if they happen to be breaking the 
build on one platform or another and b) the fact that nobody can/will touch 
the PECL extensions. (The latter is less of  a problem right now, but this 
is likely to change.)

> Yes, you would be part of the discussions at the bar or on the mailing
> list without signing a piece of paper (I'll buy you a beer) ....

I might hold you to that :)

the
> intention of the CLA is to cover material that is committed (in a CVS
> sense) to the project. With regard the 'private room' discussions the
> purpose of the CLA (from my perspective) is exactly so that folks can
> participate without worrying about what is being contributed or who is
> listening.

Interesting. I hadn't seen it that way.. mainly because it's never even been 
an issue until now.

My big question to you would be, would you contribute _without_ a CLA?

- Steph

>
> David
>