[erlang-questions] Feedback wanted: Remove compilation times from BEAM files in OTP 19?

[Loïc Hoguin]

The build time is occasionally useful but the same can be achieved by 
looking at the beam file creation or modification time.

Is it just the build time though?

Wouldn't these infos also be a problem?

* Auto generated vsn (it looks like repeated builds keep the same 
version number if the source doesn't change, but is that guaranteed?)

      [{vsn,[192941001008994618371492498907572068968]},

* Compiler version (if two different compiler versions produce the same 
result except for the compiler version, this is a waste; if compiler 
version of a build is desirable it should probably be kept separate)

      {version,"6.0.1"},

* Compile options with paths

      {outdir,"/build/erlang/src/otp/lib/ssl/src/../ebin"},
      {i,"/build/erlang/src/otp/lib/kernel/src"},

* Source file name

      {source,"/build/erlang/src/otp/lib/ssl/src/ssl.erl"}]},

On 04/08/2016 12:32 PM, Björn Gustavsson wrote:
> As long as anyone can remember, the compilation time has been included
> in BEAM files (and can be retrieved using module_info()).
>
> As far as I know, the inclusion of the time has only caused problems.
> I can't remember that anyone has found any use for the compilation
> time.
>
> So if we decide to remove the compilation time by default in OTP 19...
>
> ... would it cause any problem for someone in some workflow?
>
> ... would we need an option to include the compilation time?
>
> /Bjorn
>

-- 
Loïc Hoguin
http://ninenines.eu
Author of The Erlanger Playbook,
A book about software development using Erlang