7.4. Reporting Mongrel BugsSometimes Mongrel has defects that you would like to report. This is difficult, though, because many problems aren't only Mongrel's, but usually with Mongrel and some Web framework being hosted. Add to this the potential that your code may be broken and debugging gets tougher. What you need to do when submitting a potential defect to Mongrel is to follow this process as best you can:
Zed Sez
I'm not a porn star. I know, I look like one, but I'm not. Yet for some reason people feel they can shove giant patches at me without warning me and expect me to take it. I call this "code fisting." It's where you make a giant patch but don't write any tests, don't ask me if it's worth doing, and expect it to be applied now! Don't be a code-fister. I work on this stuff for fun, and really like helping people, but if you're going to give me a patch, be gentle. Tell me about it, communicate, send me the changes in small chunks, and make sure it's tested. I call this method of communicating change requests "code lube." The worst thing you can do, though, is quote sections of the HTTP 1.1 RFC at me like you're a fire-and-brimstone minister yelling scripture out of the Bible at your flock. I don't think any Web server actually conforms to the HTTP 1.1 RFC because it's vague and complex. Many requirements in the RFC only apply in certain contexts and sometimes they contradict other sections. Rather than being a rules lawyer and throwing a paragraph of the RFC out of context at the bug tracker, go off and implement the requested feature yourself. Code is the currency of respect in the open-source world; write some if you want respect. |