Use guix (or nix) to repack almost everything

[clsty]

What to "repack"?

As much as we can, including Arch/AUR packages and even some configuration files.

Benefit?

• Ability to deploy across almost all linux distros.
  • P.S. You are able to use guix on NixOS, or use nix on GuixOS.
• Enhance stability and flexibility. Such packaging method allows multiple versions exist at same time, which makes dreams like [Feature] Revive old configs #1059 possible.
• Accelerate installation speed once we provide pre-built packages in guix (or nix).
• A big "plus" version of [Feature] Use virtual env / Use less AUR packages #1017 .

Steps to achieve

• Learn Guix (basically)
• (NOW DOING) Learn Nix (basically)
• Decide to choose between Guix and Nix
• Use existing Nix/Guix packages instead of Arch/AUR ones
• Package non-existing Nix/Guix packages from Arch/AUR ones
• Provide pre-built packages
• Achieve a cross-platform installation process

[clsty]

Nix or guix

Of course we do not need both of them. So, which one?

What is guix?

It's a cross-distro package manager, similar to nix (actually "guix" means nix written in guile) but easier to learn (?). Its configuration language, Guile, is a general programming language for many things, comparing to nixlang which is only suitable for nixos thingy.

Possible useful links

• (Lang: Chinese) https://emacs-china.org/t/nixos-nix/27803/18
• https://github.com/Evertras/simple-homemanager
• (Lang: Chinese) https://nixos-and-flakes.thiscute.world/zh/introduction/advantages-and-disadvantages
  https://toys.whereis.social/?search=hypr

Using Nix?

I'm trying to use Nix on Arch. But the installation process of Nix itself on non-NixOS distros is a mess and not idempotent at all. You'd better have a Btrfs snapshot before ever install it, whether you install it by using pacman or Nix official shell script.

• To solve this we may need a better installation script for Nix itself.

Using Guix?

I've tried Guix before. I didn't remember but Guix itself seems to be easily installed. However when adding Guix channel, its updating speed is too slow and I don't know what is wrong. Probably needs a powerful machine, which is not acceptable for this project.

• Still, there may be solutions, such as custom guix channel which contains only a few packages for this repo to guarantee performance.