[Qgis-developer] Shipping SAGA with QGIS

[Alex Mandel]

On 02/22/2013 01:17 PM, Victor Olaya wrote:
> Hi all
> 
> Here is a question I want to raise up and that I think is worth discussing
> 
> The SEXTANTE-SAGA bindings are working more or less fine, and it's by
> far easier to ensure they work correctly than the GRASS bindings,
> since SAGA doesn't have so many "uncommon" features as GRASS and
> integration is much more straightforward. For this reason, SAGA is my
> first choice as the main algorithm provider in SEXTANTE. However,
> still many people find confusing that you have to install SAGA
> separately, and I think that should be solved.
> 
> Only with SAGA and the python algorithms, SEXTANTE would have more
> than enough for 90% of all users, including advanced ones. The current
> toolbox shows by default a list of algorithms divided by providers,
> but there is an "easy" mode that shows just one group with categories,
> and I have been working in manually classifying the available ones in
> a set of homogeneos categories.
> 
> Having SAGA shipped by default with QGIS will allow to set that simple
> mode by default and completely remove the need to install anything or
> even know which application is computing the results (the interface
> does not show any distinction between algorithms). I believe that is a
> huge step in making SEXTANTE more accesible to everyone. A working
> SEXTANTE that is enough for the vast majority of users would be ready
> with a fresh QGIS install. The current interface would be available
> for more advanced users (and with SAGA already available in it,
> without having to do anything else)
> 
> Adding SAGA in windows is trivial (just unzip it and you are done),
> and in linux it might be a bit more complex, but it should not be a
> problem. Mac might be the biggest problem here.
> 
> I would like to know the opinion of everyone about this. From my point
> of view, as I said, it will mean a great improvement.
> 
> Thanks in advance!
> 
> Victor

I'm in favor on Linux of making it a recommended package, and the same
for osgeo4w. QGIS at least on Ubuntu can and will install without GRASS,
SAGA should behave the same way. It just usually does get installed.
This is a simple change to the packaging rules.

I have no opinion on if to bundle it in the standalone installer for
windows.

Thanks,
Alex