Why we are keeping the gem file in cache?

[Mamoru Tasaka]

Vít Ondruch wrote, at 03/18/2011 09:59 PM +9:00:
> Hello
>
> I am wondering why we are keeping the original gem file in cache folder
> of rubygems? I see that they might come handy only in one scenario,
> calling "gem unpack foo" when working offline. Is anybody using this
> scenario? Is there any other reason?
>
> Vit

Currently I have no idea other than "because '$ gem install' installs
such cached gem". We anyway keep such gems in srpms (on koji, for example)
and unless there is some reason like "$ gem bar won't work without cached
gem", I don't oppose to removing cached gems if someone raises such proposal
(smaller size is better if possible).
- And I think gem unpack foo can simply be replaced by downloading srpm.

Regards,
Mamoru