[HarfBuzz] chicken-and-egg problem with FreeType

[Behdad Esfahbod]

On 14-03-05 12:14 AM, Werner LEMBERG wrote:
> 
> Folks,
> 
> 
> I just want to give a heads-up that FreeType now links to HarfBuzz
> even in non-devel mode; by default, it links only to it if it can be
> found.  In case both FreeType and HarfBuzz need to be installed, you
> have to first install FreeType, then HarfBuzz, then FreeType again.

Right.  I've been following the ticket.


> Would be nice if this chicken-and-egg problem could be resolved
> eventually :-)  Behdad, do you have already some ideas?

I have, but I'm not sure you like to hear them. :)

Allow me to digress a bit...  Today Peter Constable contacted me to ask about
the status / plans of implementing COLR/CPAL in FreeType.  Reality is: it
would have been much easier to implement those tables in FreeType if I could
use some of HarfBuzz's design.  This in turn brought this idea: we should
amalgamate FreeType and HarfBuzz, and over time port FreeType implementation
to use HarfBuzz abstractions.  After that, redo FreeType API to adapt it to
what we have learned in the past 15 years and call it FreeType 3.

I'm just thinking loud right now, but something along those lines (building
together) may be what we need.  Or maybe not.  I'll be thinking about it more.


-- 
behdad
http://behdad.org/