xxx packages frequently contain the libraries and the xxx-devel packages the C headers and what not.
Pretty much pointless in installing the C headers without installing the libraries also.
Which is why *-devel packages should include the libraries. But I don't see why RedHat should coerce me into installing package-which-might-do-something-unnecessary-and-perhaps-nasty on my development box just so the libraries are available for package building.
Charlie,
Get lost. What difference does it make if installing xxx-devel does the same thing as installing xxx and xxx-devel besides there being no need for a xxx rpm?
You still install 'something-unnecessary-and-perhaps-nasty' when you install the contains-everything xxx-devel rpm.
If you want to compile something that uses xxx, you very well NEED to install xxx.
Separating the C headers or whatever that is needed for building into a xxx-devel rpm allows more control on what is installed.
Are you going to blast the MySQL guys too? If you install MySQL-devel, you will have to install MySQL-shared.
RedHat is not coercing you into anything.