Install defaults to downloading packages before checking path

[skoren]

Some advanced users may already have required programs installed (either in their path or non-standard location). INSTALL should check for these or allow the user to specify where the programs reside instead of defaulting to downloading them.

[skoren]

This has the issue of introducing potentially unsupported or improperly built version of software by users which is difficult to check for. An alternate would be to document how to install metAMOS with custom locations for software you already have at your own risk.

[EricDeveaud]

maybee advanced user will be abble to do deal with correctly built version nad do what's needed in order to fullfill the requisites as long as they are documented. checking the install script there is a lot of tools requested that are not documented on the install documentation. just as a matter of example : kronatools, lap, fatsqc are not metioned as dependencies

why is not utils.getFromPath used instead of os.path.exists for prerequisite software ? some are checked with utils.getFromPath some are checked with os.path.exists

[skoren]

Hi,

I'm not sure I understand your comment. The point of the INSTALL.py tool is to install tested versions of required software (as well as optional software) for a novice user. This will ensure metAMOS runs on different systems even if an unsupported version of software is also installed outside of metAMOS. Users do not need to know about the dependencies you list to use metAMOS or have them installed beforehand.

Advanced users may want to replace the INSTALL.py tools with their own versions, understanding the risks, and the process of doing this is what needs to be better documented.