[GNC] gncJobNextID in gncJob.c not in gncJob.h

[John Ralls]

> On Aug 8, 2022, at 11:04 AM, Robert Simmons <rsimmons0 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Another observation: the current GnuCash mixes data and display layers.
> 
> For a new system, I would suggest separating everything completely. Have a
> database and lib layer that interacts with the database. Then expose the
> lib to C, Python, C++, Rust, Go, whatever. You can then have a REST layer
> built on one of those. Then a GTK display layer (what GnuCash is now) would
> be built against the API. And a web layer can be built against the REST API.

Yes, we know about GnuCash's spaghetti problem, we deal with it daily. Fixing it is on the list.

Keep in mind that we're not starting from scratch. GnuCash version N has to work with data from version N-1 and version N-1.last has to be able to load a version N file. We have to develop version N while still maintaining version N-1 with quarterly releases. The only way to make that happen is incremental change. Also keep in mind that GnuCash is an all-volunteer project maintained and developed by a very small group. Progress is guaranteed to be much slower than anyone would like.

As for a REST API, I don't think there's a viable use-case that's compatible with FOSS, but the fact that it might be possible suggests that we should consider changing the license to GPL-Affero to preclude someone using GnuCash in a non-Free software-as-a-service scheme.

Regards,
John Ralls