> to know what the plan is for minimising the number of dependencies.
> 229 Entering Extended Passive Mode (|||10279|).
> 150 Here comes the directory listing.
> 226 Directory send OK.
> Package dependency sqlite3-3.7.14.1 for ftp://ftp.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD/ports/amd64/packages-9-stable/Latest/subversion.tbz not found!
> Package dependency gdbm-1.9.1 for ftp://ftp.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD/ports/amd64/packages-9-stable/Latest/subversion.tbz not found!
> Package dependency db42-4.2.52_5 for ftp://ftp.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD/ports/amd64/packages-9-stable/Latest/subversion.tbz not found!
> Package dependency neon29-0.29.6_4 for ftp://ftp.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD/ports/amd64/packages-9-stable/Latest/subversion.tbz not found!
> also be deemed a feature).
> - SQLite -- which I believe is used for data storage for commits/etc.
>   and tends to work well for that, so I'm okay with it.
>   rather everything today just use UTF-8 universally (idealistic me).
>   and I used to be one, so they should be honoured (IMO).
>   the need for.  What VCS uses XML and why?  Is this really *needed*?
For most ports you can find the answer of dependency directly in the source.
Hope this helps for all your other dependency related questions.