[LAU] qjackctl patchbay

[Fons Adriaensen]

On Fri, Apr 18, 2008 at 09:51:51AM +0100, Rui Nuno Capela wrote:

> i'm sure the biggest problem here is the braindead snapshot feature which
> doesn't do what you really want ootb. and the keyword here is the ootb;)
> 
> suppose you have this connection scenario:
> 
>   client_a:out_1 -> client_b:in_3
>   client_a:out_2 -> client_b:in_4
>   client_a:out_3 -> client_b:in_2
>   client_a:out_4 -> client_b:in_1
> 
> then the snapshot will make it like:
> 
>   socket_a   -> socket_b
>     client_a      client_b
>       out_1       in_1
>       out_2       in_2
>       out_3       in_3
>       out_4       in_4

This example would suggest that the connection made are
based on the lexicographical order of the ports, as they
are displayed. But this is in general *not* the case.

The snapshot seems to use the *unsorted* list.

If client b has an additional port, let's say 'test',
(it would be the 5th one in the list, after in_4),
the connection made could as well be:

  socket_a   -> socket_b
    client_a      client_b
      out_1       test
      out_2       in_1
      out_3       in_2
      out_4       in_3

The same happens when you make the connections selecting
the two apps instead of the ports: the order does not in
general correspond to the one that is displayed. 

>From the user's point of view, the mapping is just random.

> imho, the big question is not whether the patchbay model doesn't fit to
> all purposes, but whether the current super-naive snapshot mapping is any
> better than not having one :)

I still faill to understand why the snapshot can't do what its name
suggests it will do: make a copy of the existing connections.

If a human user is supposed to be able to create a patchbay 
corresponding to a given set of connection, by folllowing 
some procedure, why can a piece of software not do the same ?
In particular if said procedure is supposed to be simple and
intuitive.

Ciao,

-- 
FA

Laboratorio di Acustica ed Elettroacustica
Parma, Italia

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