Curl on Windows

[Kapps]

On Tuesday, 28 February 2012 at 21:36:28 UTC, Walter Bright wrote:
> On 2/26/2012 6:39 PM, Brad Anderson wrote:
>> If phobos can include zlib, I see no reason it couldn't 
>> include libcurl.
>
> Yes, we do include zlib, but I don't think that is a precedent 
> we should follow. Including such third party libraries is 
> potentially a large support burden and source of conflict as 
> those libraries get updated. It's already been a problem with 
> zlib. It's beyond the scope of what D should be to take this 
> stuff on.
>
> Instead, we should provide download links so the user can 
> install it themselves as required.
>
> As for the auto tester breaking, a better approach might be to 
> install curl on the test system, or simply not run those tests.

It seems somewhat strange to me to have a hidden dependency that, 
despite being included in the standard library, can not be used 
with a default install.

What about an option in the default installer to download these 
third party libraries (and on Windows coffimplib them)?