20 Common Questions and Solutions #
This currently an unsorted list of asked questions.
20.1 Working with Limited Bandwidth #
Packages can contain large files, esp. some tar balls can become quite large, in some real life examples several hundred mega bytes. This can be a problem when you need to work on the package via a slow connection.
20.1.1 Using the Web Interface #
The web interface is the easiest way to edit simple things without the need of the checkout.
Disadvantages are
Not the preferred solution for power packagers
No local build possible
Still a significant bandwidth is needed compared to the size of the edited file.
20.1.2 Using osc with Size Limit #
osc offers to skip files with a certain size (specified
with -l switch) on checkout. The limit is stored locally
and you can also run an update later without downloading any large files.
All other files can be edited, diffed and committed as usual.
Disadvantages are
The checkout is incomplete
No local build possible
20.1.3 Using download_url #
Manage your large files via source services. The easiest way is to
use osc add $URL which just stores a
small _service file. The check will not contain the
large files by default, but they get downloaded when needed via the
service. However, they will never get committed, so this is the best
approach when you have a fast downstream, but slow upstream like with
standard DSL connections. Also other users can trust your tar ball, esp.
important when you do version upgrades on foreign packages.
Disadvantages are
The generated files have the _service: prefix in check out (but not during build).
20.1.4 Using Source Services in trylocal Mode #
Manage your large files via source services in try local mode for
example with download_url or
download_files service. This means you can be flexible
depending on your current connection without changing the setup. The
service is generating the file on the server side when you decide not to
commit it, but you can also decide to commit it and avoid the _service:
prefix on the files. Also other users can trust your tar ball, esp.
important when you do version upgrades on foreign packages.
Disadvantages are
A checkout may still need the size limit switch when last commit contained the large files.