On Fri, 4 Apr 2008, Allan Whiteford wrote:
> Brian Larsen wrote:
>> In the realm of crazy TLAs has anyone ever linked the GNU scientific
>> library (GSL) into IDL. This is probably a case where I need to use a
>> DLM. Before I expend a bunch of effort reinventing the wheel I just
>> want to make sure that others have not done this.
>>
>>
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Brian
>>
>>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Brian Larsen
>> Boston University
>> Center for Space Physics
>
> Brian,
>
> Even if they had, it would probably[1] be in violation of the GPL to
> distribute such code.
>
There is an FFTW3 DLM on the ITTVIS website. FFTW3 is GPL and ITTVIS
distributes this DLM (binary only). So, is ITTVIS violating GPL?
Actually, IDL is not linked against the DLM, IDL is a standalone
executable. The user links in (loads) the DLM at run-time using the
DLM hook provided by IDL. Is this the same as build-time linking?
I am working on the DLM sup****t for FL and my example program is FFTW3.
I plan to release the DLM source under GPL. Is this enough? What is your
opinion?
thanks,
lajos
> GSL is GPL and opposed to LGPL. This broadly means[2] you can't
distribute a
> derivative work which links IDL and GSL.
>
> See the "licensing" section here:
>
> http://www.gnu.org/software/gsl/
>
> where the GPL has been explicitly chosen over the LGPL.
>
> See also:
>
> http://www.gnu.org/licenses/why-not-lgpl.html
>
> http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#IfLibraryIsGPL
>
> http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#GPLInProprietarySystem
>
> http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#MoneyGuzzlerInc
>
> You can, of course, link IDL and GSL but then you're not allowed[2] to
> distribute that work.
>
> Of course, IANAL, and this is just my understanding of things. I am also
not
> advocating anything in particular - just pointing out the situation as I
see
> it.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Allan
>
> [1] You can get non-GPL versions of GSL but I'll work on the assumption
> you're talking about the free version you can just download.
>
> [2] i.e. is the general understanding of what the GPL means.
>
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