Re: [Boost-build] feature detection

Subject: Re: [Boost-build] feature detection
From: Vladimir Prus (vladimir.prus_at_[hidden])
Date: 2016-10-25 05:37:25

On 25-Oct-16 12:16 PM, Dominique Devienne wrote:
> On Tue, Oct 25, 2016 at 10:56 AM, Vladimir Prus <vladimir.prus_at_[hidden]
> <mailto:vladimir.prus_at_[hidden]>> wrote:
>
>     [...] I've put together an example, here:
>
>
>     https://github.com/boostorg/build/tree/develop/example/try_compile
>     <https://github.com/boostorg/build/tree/develop/example/try_compile>
>
>     It sets a macro based on compilability of a C++ source file, which seems
>     like what you're after. [...]
>
>
> I've seen the term 'feature' being used several times in the BB threads.
> But is it an abstract concept with no concrete representation in the
> Jam/BB language?
> Or is feature somehow a keyword too?

Dominique,

it is not a keyword, but it's not an abstract concept either.
The introduction into features can be found at

     http://www.boost.org/build/doc/html/bbv2/tutorial/properties.html

and the src/build/feature.jam module has functions to define a feature,
specifying its properties.

> For a BB novice like me, it's unclear reading your example.
> If 'feature' is just a name in that example, a different less-generic name
> might clear up that confusion IMHO. My $0.02. --DD

The use of 'feature' in example was unfortunate, I've pushed a commit to 
rename it.

Hope this helps,

-- 
Vladimir Prus
https://vladimirprus.com