[noctool-devel] compact configurations for identical machines

[Jim Prewett]

> Say... If (and that may be a big "if") we can make sure that all 'top-level' 
> config macros have name as the first parameter...
> 
> Or, wait, even better!
> 
> Does this look at least vaguely sane?
> (cluster ("rtr-~3,'0d" 1 10)
>   (machine name linux-host
>      (user "testuser")))

I think that looks mostly sane. :)  

One thing that bothers me a little is the use of the optional NAME 
parameter.  It reminds me a little *too much* of Paul Graham's AIF macro 
(which I love, BTW, but unhiegenic macros can be a bit of a pain).  As 
opposed to AIF, I do like that I can call the symbol whatever I want. :)

I can certainly get used to it, so don't count this as an objection. :)

Are there any packages out there for C-style format strings with Lisp?  
Personally, I'm very happy with the Lisp-style format strings, but I 
(unfortunately) have to agree with Ingvar that "end user" types will 
likely know more about C than Lisp. :P

Should we consider an alternate configuration syntax for Lusers?  I guess 
if it were me, I'd make some macros that expand to the noctool-config 
macros.  Something that might be more familular to someone who has 
configured Nagios or some such simular tool.  IMO, this syntax should feel 
a lot like Perl (shudder!!!).  This would probably add a boatload of 
maintenance, but might make the "entry fee" a little lower (learning a 
little Lisp + learning Noctool is harder than using a familular syntax 
while learning Noctool is basically my thought).  It feels a tad 
preliminary to be thinking about this sort of thing - it is another thing 
that I've struggled with with LoGS (my potential users don't want to learn 
(*any*) Lisp!!!)

> This way, we allow clustering of any top-level config form, we aren't 
> restricted in the actual parameter (it defaults to substitute "name" but if 
> you prefer, you can replace "blahonga" or "supercallifragilistic" with each 
> generated name).

That sounds great!

Jim

James E. Prewett                    Jim at Prewett.org download at hpc.unm.edu 
Systems Team Leader           LoGS: http://www.hpc.unm.edu/~download/LoGS/ 
Designated Security Officer         OpenPGP key: pub 1024D/31816D93    
HPC Systems Engineer III   UNM HPC  505.277.8210