Pros of brew

• Comprehensive package management system for macOS
• Large community and extensive package repository
• Supports multiple programming languages and tools

Cons of brew

• More complex setup process
• Requires more system resources
• Can potentially conflict with system-installed packages

Code Comparison

strap:

#!/bin/bash
set -e

# Check for Xcode Command Line Tools
xcode-select --install 2>/dev/null || true

# Install Homebrew
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

brew:

class Formula
  def install
    system "./configure", "--prefix=#{prefix}"
    system "make", "install"
  end
end

strap is a lightweight script focused on bootstrapping a macOS system with essential tools, including Homebrew. It provides a quick and straightforward setup process.

brew, on the other hand, is a full-featured package manager with a more complex codebase. It offers a wide range of functionalities for installing, updating, and managing packages on macOS.

While strap is designed for initial system setup, brew is intended for ongoing package management and maintenance. strap can be seen as a precursor to using brew, as it includes the installation of Homebrew itself.

Pros of homebrew-bundle

• Focused specifically on managing Homebrew packages and dependencies
• Integrates seamlessly with existing Homebrew workflows
• Allows for easy sharing and versioning of Brewfile configurations

Cons of homebrew-bundle

• Limited to Homebrew-related tasks and package management
• Requires manual setup and configuration of other system settings
• Less comprehensive for full system bootstrapping

Code Comparison

homebrew-bundle:

brew "git"
cask "visual-studio-code"
mas "Xcode", id: 497799835

strap:

#!/bin/bash
set -e

# Install Homebrew
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Summary

homebrew-bundle is a specialized tool for managing Homebrew packages and dependencies, offering seamless integration with existing Homebrew workflows. It excels in package management but is limited in scope compared to strap. strap, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive system bootstrapping solution, automating various setup tasks beyond just package management. While homebrew-bundle offers easier sharing of package configurations, strap offers a broader range of system setup capabilities.

Pros of laptop

• More comprehensive setup, including additional development tools and languages
• Customizable through a ~/.laptop.local file for personal preferences
• Supports both macOS and Linux operating systems

Cons of laptop

• Less focused on security and automation compared to strap
• May install more software than necessary for some users
• Requires manual execution and interaction during setup

Code comparison

laptop:

fancy_echo "Installing Homebrew ..."
  if ! command -v brew >/dev/null; then
    curl -fsS \
      'https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install' | ruby
  fi

strap:

if [[ ! -f "$STRAP_BREWFILE" ]]
then
  STRAP_ISSUES="$STRAP_ISSUES
You have no Brewfile at $STRAP_BREWFILE!"
  return 1
fi

Summary

laptop is a more comprehensive setup tool that supports both macOS and Linux, offering a wider range of development tools and languages. It allows for customization through a local configuration file. However, it may install more software than needed and requires manual interaction during setup.

strap, on the other hand, focuses more on security and automation, particularly for macOS. It emphasizes using a Brewfile for package management and provides a more streamlined, hands-off setup process. However, it may not offer as extensive a range of development tools out of the box compared to laptop.

Pros of dotfiles

• More comprehensive configuration management, covering a wide range of tools and applications
• Modular structure allows for easy customization and selective use of configurations
• Includes scripts for automating various tasks and improving workflow

Cons of dotfiles

• Requires more manual setup and configuration compared to Strap's automated approach
• May include unnecessary configurations for some users, potentially leading to bloat
• Less focus on system-level setup and bootstrapping

Code Comparison

dotfiles:

# Load all files in ~/.dotfiles/source/
for file in ~/.dotfiles/source/*; do
  [ -r "$file" ] && [ -f "$file" ] && source "$file"
done

Strap:

def install_homebrew
  return if system("brew --version >/dev/null 2>&1")
  system 'bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install.sh)"'
end

The dotfiles example shows how it sources multiple configuration files, while the Strap example demonstrates its focus on system-level setup by installing Homebrew.

Pros of homebrew-cask

• Larger community and more extensive collection of casks
• Integrated with Homebrew, providing a unified package management experience
• Regular updates and maintenance from a dedicated team

Cons of homebrew-cask

• Focuses solely on application installation, not overall system setup
• May require more manual intervention for custom configurations
• Larger codebase, potentially more complex for contributors

Code Comparison

strap:

#!/bin/bash
set -e

# Check if Xcode Command Line Tools are installed
if ! [ -f "/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/bin/git" ]; then
  xcode-select --install
fi

homebrew-cask:

cask "example-app" do
  version "1.2.3"
  sha256 "a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0k1l2m3n4o5p6q7r8s9t0u1v2w3x4y5z"

  url "https://example.com/app-#{version}.dmg"
  name "Example App"
  desc "Description of the example app"
  homepage "https://example.com/"

The strap code focuses on system setup, while homebrew-cask defines application installation parameters. Strap uses bash scripting for system-level operations, whereas homebrew-cask employs Ruby DSL for defining casks.