Is it bad form to patch a dependency? (programming.dev)

submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by staircase@programming.dev to c/programming@programming.dev

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My code depends on a library that makes liberal use of patching (replacing text in source code) for its own dependencies. I feel this is bad form, because, for example, that dependency may now conflict irreconcilably with another dependency of mine.

Am I right in thinking patching code is bad form?

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[-] Feyd@programming.dev 1 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

If the dependency static links the library and doesn't use structs or classes defined in it for its interface then it is fine. If either of those are not true it is asking for trouble

this post was submitted on 01 Apr 2026

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