Re: configuration modules ["Lou D. Langholtz" ] (fwd)

[Brian Behlendorf <br...@hyperreal.com>]

Date: Thu, 01 May 1997 17:38:41 -0600
From: "Lou D. Langholtz" <sy...@usi.utah.edu>
To: apache-modules@zyzzyva.com
CC: new-httpd@apache.org
Subject: Re: configuration modules

Randy Terbush wrote:
> 
> I'm anxious to get a look at this, but the fact that I need to
> install Netscape 4 underscores my reluctance to do this interface
> with Java. I've not become convinced that the time is right.
> I still support customers who are using Netscape 1.0 and could not
> be convinced to upgrade.
> 
> > I've been working on an interface for the configuration of apache (see
> > http://butler.disa.mil/ApacheConfigClient/ApacheConfigClient.html) but
> > haven't really started on a backend.  It seems like there's the
> > beginnings of a collaboration here. Please let me know if you agree.
> >
> > NB: the interface is java - based and uses the forthcoming "JFC" so you
> > need the JFC libraries from javasoft/netscape or NS communicator 4.
> > --
> > Justin Seiferth
> > seifertj@ncr.disa.mil
> > seiferth@erols.com
> > (703) 607-6620

If the directive descriptions had a set format that they had to be in
which functionally described the datatype which the directive is
interpreted to and the directive's default value then writing a
configuration interface should be easier I figure.

I once started a configuration interface using a CGI and a form but
dropped the work when I began wondering if the work really needs to be
done in the directive descriptions instead. Now if the apache code
changed the text in each directive's help string I wonder what if
anything that'd break.