Name: Ian Donnelly
Contact/Email: ian.s.donnelly@gmail.com
Background: I am a Junior studying at Florida State University on track to a receive a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in May of 2015. Our program is mainly based around the languages of C and C++ so I have a lot of experience with them which I hope to put to use this summer. Additionally I have some programming experience in Android, PHP, MySQL, and HTML all of which I am currently learning and using to build projects for the first time. I am an avid user of Debian and Debian-based linux distributions. Currently I have a Raspberry Pi running Debian, a server running Ubuntu Server, Crunchbang that I use for development at home and Linux Mint at school. A little bit about me personally, I recently aquired an Aeropress and have been drinking way too much coffee and this weekend I am starting my first bath of homebrewed beer.
Project title: Improve Configuration Upgrade Mechanism with Elektra
Project details: My proposal is to implement the Elektra framework in order to automatically merge changes in configuration files when upgrading packages in Debian. Currently when a package is update, grub for instance, the user is forced to decide whether to overwrite or keep their configuration, while the default configuration may have changed significantly or they must merge the configuration by hand. At the end of this summer, by implementing this framework, users would not have to face this scenario.
Synopsis: Use the Elektra Framework in order to automatically handle config file merges during package upgrades.
Benefits to Debian: New users would not have to deal with intimidating prompts about configuration files during package upgrades.
Experienced users would no longer need to manually merge config files during package upgrades.
Deliverables: A system that allows automatic merging of config files during package upgrades with little to no user intervention.
Project schedule:
- March 22nd - May 2nd (when Spring Semester Ends)
- Familiarizing myself with the Elektra framework and debconf in order to better understanding of how to use Elektra to store information about configuration file.
- May 3rd - May 24th
- Get to know mentor, figure out a detailed plan of how to approach the project. Write up an SRS for a full understanding between parties. Get to know the Debian team and the process for checking out and submitting code.
- May 25nd - August 18th
- Code! Work towards and produce the final deliverable of a system that can automatically merge config files. Make sure the code has been tested thoroughly with no bugs since it will eventually be put into use in Debian (hopefully).
Exams and other commitments: Semester doesn't end until May 2nd so I will only be able to do a limited amount of work until then.
Other summer plans: I may take one class during the summer for my major, should not consume more than 8 hours a week. I have to attend a wedding mid-July for a few days in California. No other plans.
Why Debian?: I have been a long-time user of Debian-based systems. Debian allowed me to really get into computers as a hobby when I was younger and is partially responsible for me going into this field. I really want to be able to contribute to a project that I have found so much inspiration in.