Re: package-vc.el should not fetch all commits.

[Stefan Monnier <monnier@iro.umontreal.ca>]

> Right, but there is no inherent problem in supporting other workflows,
> as long as it is reasonably doable.  E.g. we could add a user option
> that could influence the arguments passed to vc-git-clone, so that one
> can inject a --depth=1 argument, and restructure some of the package-vc
> functionality to make it reusable for other intents (e.g. better
> isolating the "building" from the "installing"), so that other packages
> can make use of the logic that prepares manuals or resolves
> dependencies.  But that should probable be discussed in a bug report,
> not here.

But when it comes to installing from arbitrary Git repositories, I think
a better path would be to provide commands that let `package.el` use
a local clone, so that users can `git clone` any which way they prefer,
and then just `M-x package-use-that-clone`.

It would provide total flexibility for the users without needing endless
options in our code to handle each and every possible detail.


        Stefan