This directory's contents, and also the rest of this
README, are probably now mostly obsolete.

--------------------------------------------------------

Over time a free-software developer tends to write and
accumulate a number of helper scripts.  This author's
Debram helper scripts are kept here.  You need none of
these helper scripts to install, run, use, modify,
develop, build, package or distribute Debram.  The
scripts have no unifying theme except that they have
been used in Debram development, but if you are
developing Debram you may find some of the scripts
convenient, especially `new-debram-body'.

Because these helper scripts are intended for Debram
developers not Debram users, less time, attention and
care have been given in their preparation than in that
of the main Debram source.  Sometimes much less so.
Common helper code is not consistently factored, for
example; and Perl not C is used.  On the other hand,
the more frequently used helper scripts
like `new-debram-body' and `buff-expand' are indeed
reasonably well developed; it depends on the specific
script.  Each script is written, refined and modified
as development needs arise.

Some of the scripts (like `new-debram-body') are
specific to Debram development, useless elsewhere.
Others (like `buff-expand') could in theory be used
anywhere.  (Why aren't the latter packaged except here
in the debram source?  Answer: the scripts seem neither
important enough to distribute as separate packages nor
germane enough to install with the debram package; nor
are they written in C/C++; and besides, the author's
time is limited.  They're just helper scripts.)

The script `buffe-src' must be called from the top
source directory.  The other scripts may be called from
anywhere.  Each script has a comment at its head
explaining what the script does and what it is for.
Refer to each script source, therefore, for further
information.

(These scripts are all meant to run correctly on any
Debian system with the standard packages installed.
However, they are only development helpers---they
neither contribute to the binaries nor affect the build
process in any way---so automated testing of the helpers
on a standard-only chroot has never been implemented and
is not planned.  In fact the helpers have never been
tested on standard-only Debian at all.  If you encounter
a case where the scripts need optional packages
installed to work right, please report it to Debian's
Bug Tracking System as a "Severity: minor" bug.)

Further notes of interest to Debram developers and
maintainers are found in the file `RelSteps'.

