[Freegis-list] GPL C++ libs and databases

[Jan-Oliver Wagner]

Hi John,

On Fri, Aug 03, 2001 at 11:34:20PM +1000, John Reid wrote:
> First, a warning.  I am probably going to contradict myself several 
> times here.  Also, my base assumption is that interest is in developing 
> under a GPL licence.  Purpose of this mail is to determine potential 
> interest - I don't actually have a plan (sketch maybe ;-)
> 
> C++ spatial data libraries
> ===================
> 
> Going by the comments on the PostGIS list re JTS (C++TS?), 
> mention/interest on the GRASS list of the TPIE library and the existence 
> of some vector code in OSSIM, I take it there is a considerable amount 
> of interest in a GPL C++ library for GIS/SIS data types?  Recently I 
> have been looking at reviving the GFC library originally created by L.J. 
> Qian, which seems very promising but is probably in need of a major 
> overhaul (possibly too clever for its` own good - I would prefer code 

first of all it would be of course great to have a GPLed library
for spatial data. This would require any tool using this library
to be under GPL as well. If the library is good, it can be a reason
to change license to GPL.

What determines the success of such a project is: are there
enough GPLed applications for which it makes sense
to use the library and are they actually willing to do so?
If you don't have them fully behind your project, the project will
fail (unless you have unlimited time/money to proceed anyway).
So your first action should be to find out whether there is the
need to have a standard library (and what it precicesly will offer).

Personally, I would be happy if some of the currently available
GIS-related libraries would 'upgrade' at least to LGPL to
provide a trustful platform for contributors.

> However to me it seems crazy for development to take place in all these 
> seperate threads.  Is anyone interested in some kind of co-ordinated 
> effort?  I'm no guru, but I would love to help out in any way I can :-)

Probably the most efficient way for you to support free GIS
software is to coordinate a project (doing communication)
rather than to code yourself.
Since you probably will have time only for one project, you
must select this carefully of course :-)

Jan

-- 
Jan-Oliver Wagner               http://intevation.de/~jan/

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