`platform` description is confusing

[bfabio]

As pointed out in codemeta/codemeta#364 (comment), the description for platform is indeed confusing:

This key specifies which platform the software runs on. It is meant to describe the platforms that users will use to access and operate the software, rather than the platform the software itself runs on.

[jgroenen]

So should it just be: "This key specifies which platforms users will use to access and operate the software (rather than the platform the software itself runs on.)"

[jgroenen]

Looking at "Values: web, windows, mac, linux, ios, android. Human readable values outside this list are allowed." it does actually look more like the platform the executable is built for, except the value "web" (which then maybe should be "browser")?

[rantoniuk]

If I understand correctly, the intent of this value is to be able to segregate the tools for easy cataloging according to end-user devices (for example to easily see what is mobile-only and what is browser-only).

I would call this key then clientPlatform, with values:

clientPlatform: [
  "browser",
  "macos - intel", 
  "macos - arm", 
  "windows", 
  "unix", 
  "mobile - android", 
  "mobile - ios"
]

and the description:

This key specifies the supported client platforms to access this software.

[ruphy]

agreed
we could introduce the new key and deprecate the old one until the next major release

[libremente]

Looking at "Values: web, windows, mac, linux, ios, android. Human readable values outside this list are allowed." it does actually look more like the platform the executable is built for, except the value "web" (which then maybe should be "browser")?

@jgroenen take a look also at the softwareType key that goes in that direction, e.g.

standalone/web - The software represents a web application usable by means of a browser.

--> https://yml.publiccode.tools/schema.core.html#key-softwaretype