Re: gpic terminal

[Ethan A M. <sf...@us...>]

On Wednesday, 19 March, 2014 13:48:41 James Cloos wrote:
> >>>>> "EAM" == Ethan A Merritt <sf...@us...> writes:
> 
> JC>> Why was the gpic term disabled?
> 
> EAM> It seems reasonable to reduce the number of default terminal types
> EAM> by omiting ones that are only of historical interest, or used only by 
> EAM> legacy systems.
> 
> gpic matches neither of those.
> 
> EAM> In any case the gpic terminal is still there - "disabled by
> EAM> default" is not the same thing as "deleted".  You can configure it
> EAM> in if you like.
> 
> With that magic ./configure invocation?

./configure --with-gpic
(as of just now)


> It is commented, not #ifdef'ed.  An --enable-gpic/--disable-gpic is
> easier to deal with when using automated build systems.
> 
> JC>> Troff continues to have users, 
> 
> EAM> Does it?  Who?  Do they use the development version of gnuplot?
> 
> Of course.  The groff lists have an active community.  It is in all of
> the major distributions.  And development continues, such as the pdf
> output device which was added several months ago.
> 
> And being part of current distributions means that anyone who tracks
> gnuplot cvs (for any reason, such as tracking other teminals or wanting
> libcerf) and uses roff will hit that intersection.
> 
> I really don't see how anyone could think groff were not in active use.
> 
> EAM> Perhaps, but only if someone can attest this is indeed the case.
> 
> My post did.
> 
> EAM> The documentation was written about 15 years ago, at the same time
> EAM> as the driver itself.
> 
> So?
> 
> EAM> It would be valuable to know if the gpic terminal actually works
> EAM> with the current gnuplot.
> 
> Yes it does, as anyone can test.

I am a bit dubious.  Running "plot x" through the gpic terminal in 4.6.5
shows that the lines are drawn dashed when they should be solid.
I suspect it broke years ago and no one has noticed.
Anyhow, I don't mind adding the configuration option.

If you have an actual piece of documentation that uses gnuplot+gpic+groff
I'd be interested to add it to the test suite so that at least breakage is
noticed.

	Ethan