Manage Project Licenses and Languages with 'proctl' (with examples)

The ‘proctl’ command-line utility is a powerful tool designed to help developers manage project licenses and programming languages in a streamlined and efficient manner. With ‘proctl’, you can easily list available licenses and languages, switch between license templates, and manage project configurations with ease. This article explores the practical use cases of ‘proctl’, providing insight into how each function can be applied effectively.

Use case 1: List available licenses

Code:

proctl -ll

Motivation: When starting or maintaining a project, it’s essential to know which licenses are available for use. Licenses define how others can use your work and ensure legal protection for both the user and the project owner. Listing available licenses helps developers quickly identify and select the most appropriate license for their project’s needs.

Explanation:

• -ll or -list-licenses: This argument specifies that the ‘proctl’ command should list all available licenses. By providing this flag, users can access a comprehensive list of licenses pre-configured in the system.

Example output:

Available licenses:
1. MIT
2. Apache 2.0
3. GPL 3.0
4. BSD 3-Clause

Use case 2: List available languages

Code:

proctl -lL

Motivation: Understanding which programming languages are available for a project helps in planning and structuring its development. Different projects require different languages based on performance needs, platform requirements, and team expertise.

Explanation:

• -lL or -list-languages: This flag is used to retrieve a list of all programming languages supported or identified for usage in projects managed by ‘proctl’. It enables developers to make informed decisions regarding language selection.

Example output:

Available languages:
1. Python
2. JavaScript
3. C++
4. Ruby

Use case 3: Pick a license in a FZF menu

Code:

proctl -pl

Motivation: Choosing the right license is a crucial step in the project lifecycle. A fuzzy finder (FZF) menu provides an interactive way to select from a list of licenses quickly and without having to remember exact names. It enhances efficiency and reduces human error.

Explanation:

• -pl or -pick-license: The command opens an FZF menu for the user to interactively choose a license from the available list. FZF is a general-purpose command-line fuzzy finder, making the selection process user-friendly.

Example output:

FZF License Selector:
Please select a license:
> MIT
  Apache 2.0
  GPL 3.0

Use case 4: Pick a language in a FZF menu

Code:

proctl -pL

Motivation: Similar to licensing, selecting a programming language efficiently from a set list can save time, especially when dealing with multi-language projects. The FZF menu provides a streamlined way for developers to make these selections.

Explanation:

• -pL or -pick-language: Launches an FZF menu to allow interactive selection of a programming language. This approach minimizes user error and speeds up the selection process through an intuitive interface.

Example output:

FZF Language Selector:
Please select a language:
> Python
  JavaScript
  C++

Use case 5: Remove all licenses from the current project

Code:

proctl -r

Motivation: Projects often undergo restructuring or re-licensing which might necessitate removing existing licenses. This command helps clean up all associated licenses quickly, preparing the project for a fresh start or a new license application.

Explanation:

• -r or -remove-license: This argument tells ‘proctl’ to remove all existing license files or references from the current project directory, facilitating re-licensing tasks.

Example output:

All licenses have been successfully removed from the project.

Use case 6: Create a new license template

Code:

proctl -t

Motivation: In some cases, existing licenses may not fully cover the specific requirements of your project. Creating a custom license template allows for a tailored approach to licensing governance.

Explanation:

• -t or -new-template: Initiates the creation of a new license template that can be customized to satisfy unique project requirements. This command empowers developers to manage custom licenses efficiently.

Example output:

Creating a new license template...
Template created successfully. Customize as needed.

Use case 7: Delete a license from templates

Code:

proctl -R @license_name1 @license_name2

Motivation: As projects evolve, some license templates become obsolete or redundant. Removing such templates helps maintain a cleaner environment and reduces clutter.

Explanation:

• -R or -delete-license: This option is followed by one or more license names indicating which templates should be deleted. It effectively manages and tidies up template storage for licenses.

Example output:

Deleting license templates: @license_name1, @license_name2...
Selected templates have been successfully deleted.

Use case 8: Show this helpful list of commands

Code:

proctl -h

Motivation: Accessing the list of commands easily is crucial for users, especially newcomers, to understand the full capabilities of ‘proctl’ and how to use it effectively. It’s a quick reference guide for all available functionalities.

Explanation:

• -h or -help: Displays a list of available commands and their short descriptions. This output functions as a user manual for quick command-line help and learning.

Example output:

proctl - Manage projects licenses and languages, switch between templated licenses.
Available commands:
  -ll  -list-licenses: List available licenses
  -lL  -list-languages: List available languages
  -pl  -pick-license: Pick a license in a FZF menu
  -pL  -pick-language: Pick a language in a FZF menu
  -r   -remove-license: Remove all licenses from the current project
  -t   -new-template: Create a new license template
  -R   -delete-license: Delete a license from templates
  -h   -help: Show this helpful list of commands

Conclusion:

The ‘proctl’ command-line tool offers diverse functionalities for managing project licenses and languages efficiently. Whether you’re listing, selecting, or managing licenses and languages, ‘proctl’ provides a comprehensive set of options that streamline and simplify these processes. Its integration of interactive FZF menus and options to create and delete templates make it an invaluable tool for developers looking to maintain control over their project’s licensing and language configurations.