create easybuild-experimental repository to host auto-generated easyconfig files

[boegel]

We should set up an easybuild-experimental repository for hosting auto-generated easyconfig files, and potentially also easyblocks.

These could be generated from other build tools, e.g., pkgsrc, ports, portage, ...

This repository could then serve as a starting point for adding support for software that's already supported somewhere else. The auto-generated easyconfigs/blocks would still need human verification, e.g. adding sanity checks and validation installation correctness, before they are pushed to the main EasyBuild repository.

[fgeorgatos]

Hi there,

this already exists for some time, I still have to migrate some more of my own work in there:
https://github.com/fgeorgatos/easybuild.experimental # avoided "-"character since I'm not 100% sure it's OK on github

Perhaps I will insert in it some structure from the product:
{pkgsrc, portage, ports, macports, deb, rpm, rpmspec} x {alpha, beta, release}

Where the quality levels roughly correspond to:

• alpha - automatically made, very crude compilation mode, let's just hope it works - 1% success rate is, er, success
• beta - it worked once, sometime, somewhere (probably pick them from ebrepo, assuming these contain download checksums and/or signatures, ref. add support for checking checksum of source files #214 & check signatures if available #143)
• release - human has intervened to screen for obvious errors and shortcomings - anyhow use at own risk

Note:
this gradual approach still is not fully Quality Assured (esp. compiler toolchains/options can make a good difference)

I recommend you supply your comments and close this issue.

[boegel]

Your proposal with alpha/beta/release subdirectories and additional structure for sources looks great to me.

Once you've set it up like you propose, can you write up a wiki page that we can thrown on the EasyBuild main wiki?

We needs this to be documented if we ever want people to use it.
It should mention what the purpose is of this repository, how the easyconfigs that are available there are generated, and how they should be used.

[fgeorgatos]

Hi pals,

I consider this one resolved, copy-paste (any subset of) documentation from:
https://github.com/fgeorgatos/easybuild.experimental
or
https://github.com/fgeorgatos/easybuild.experimental/wiki

If you feel something is missing, let it be said and I'll check on it.

tia,
Fotis

[fgeorgatos]

Please close this.

[boegel]

Pointer to the easybuild.experimental wiki is on the EasyBuild wiki at https://github.com/hpcugent/easybuild/wiki/Experimental-repo .