On Sun, 02 Feb 2003 12:56:04 +0100, Wolfgang Wieser <wwi### [at] gmxde> wrote:
> I always read something about "well documented" and "cleanly coded" 
> patches to POVRay, so please look at povray.cpp (!)

Core code is not a patch. In principals it works as all raytracers. Raytracing
code and environment things are in core usually well isolated and do not
interfere. They exist for years and are well tested so you can be nearly sure
they are (perhaps not perfect but) well coded. The function/variable name
usually gives an answer what it does and quick search for this name gives an
answer when and why it is used.

Patches works otherwise. They are fresh, usually buggy in initial version and
developed by one person. They are developed for one state of core code and
therefore can be hard to port to other customized sources. All those
interested with your patch but working with own customized povray sources have
to solve set of conflicts between their patches and your. And that's why
"'well documented' and 'cleanly coded' patches" issue is so much important.
Look here http://megapov.inetart.net/manual/internals.html#markup

And all above does not mean I do not like comments. I also like well commented
sources to use for patching :-)

ABX

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