Subject: Re: [linux-audio-dev] One API for everything (first draft)
From: Karl MacMillan (karlmac_AT_peabody.jhu.edu)
Date: Sat May 19 2001 - 00:02:54 EEST
On Fri, 18 May 2001, Steve Harris wrote:
> On Fri, May 18, 2001 at 12:37:29PM +0200, Abramo Bagnara wrote:
> > About "easier to work" I think that developers would like to have a
> > single API to learn/understand. I'd think in the same way...
>
> I (personally) prefer simpler APIs, the LADSPA API is a good example.
>
I agree - this api has a lot of added complexity that many on this list
have expressed a desire to remove (single sample format being the most
important aspect in my mind).
> > Other bonus of a single API are:
> > - component reuse
> > - greater flexybility
> > - true modularity
> > - etc. (we've analyzed deeply that in previous postings)
>
> Agreed, these are usually good things.
>
These are good goals, but using one api for two tasks (hardware access and
inter-process communication) does not necessarily help this.
> > But there is something I don't understand from your objection, IIRC
> > there was general agreement that a single API is better, the residual
> > point was "Is it feasible?". I've interpreted wrong?
>
> I'm only speaking for myself. You asked for opinions and I gave one ;) If
> the general consensus is that a single unified API is a good thing I will
> certainly go along with it.
>
> N.B. My objections are largely due to the fact that I can't figure out
> what's going on from looking at the header file, which I think is a bad
> sign. That said there is no documentation in it.
>
I agree with this. It seems like you have an analogy in mind that I don't
quite understand (even after your other mail about the gears). Some more
explicit documentation would help me understood the goals and strengths of
your api.
Thanks,
Karl
> - Steve
>
_____________________________________________________
| Karl W. MacMillan |
| Computer Music Department |
| Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University |
| karlmac_AT_peabody.jhu.edu |
| mambo.peabody.jhu.edu/~karlmac |
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