Publib is a library of reusable C functions.  It consists of the build
framework and the actual library modules.  The framework is the
mechanism that does the actual compiling and installation (and related
things) of the library.  The modules are groups of actual library
functions.  The two have been separated partly to make it simpler for
other people to develop and distribute new library modules, partly to
make it easier to port the library to other systems (hopefully, only
the framework needs to be modified).

There is no official set of modules.  The intent is that many parties
will supply modules so that the installer of the library can pick and
choose between modules, and will install those that interest him.
However, at this point, there is only one set of modules, mine.

No copyright restrictions for the modules is placed by the framework,
and the framework itself is in the public domain (except for the files
publib/configure, publib/COPYING, and publib/install.sh, which need to
be under the GPL).  This means that it can be used with commercial
modules as well.  Please check the documentation for each module for any
restrictions on its use.

Just because some people are paranoid about the GPL: the file
publib/COPYING applies to the files publib/configure _only_.
publib/install.sh comes from the X distribution and may be copied
freely.

Stability: this is still alpha, expect bugs and changing interfaces.


Requirements
------------

The C code in the framework requires a standard conforming C environment
(or a close lookalike), that is, what is commonly called ANSI C.  The
framework consists partly of UNIX shell scripts and makefiles, and will
probably not work on other operating systems.  (There should be no huge
problems building new frameworks for other operating systems, e.g., for
the popular integrated environments on MS-DOS and Windows, but since I
don't use those systems, I don't bother unless the demand is great and
explicit.)

The modules may set additional requirements.  My own modules currently
require a standard conforming C environment, but I dream of several that
would require a POSIX environment.  Check the documentation for each
module you're interested in.


Getting Publib
--------------

Publib has been posted to the alt.sources Usenet newsgroup, and also
put on the following anonymous ftp sites:

	ftp.cs.helsinki.fi: /pub/Software/Local/Publib
	ftp.funet.fi: /pub/languages/C/Publib

For version 0.4, you need the following files:

	publib-0.4.tar.gz	The framework itself
	liw-modules-0.4.tar.gz	The modules by the author

Contacts
--------

Lars Wirzenius
Hernesaarenkatu 15 A 2		(for snail-mail)
00150 Helsinki
Finland

lars.wirzenius@helsinki.fi	(for e-mail)
wirzeniu@kruuna.helsinki.fi	(for finger)