[boost] Re: [gauging interest] Windows GUI - semi-installer

From: Robert Mathews (rmathews_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-05-26 08:34:27

I'm glad to see this thread starting, I definitely think this is a good
idea.

"David Abrahams" <dave_at_[hidden]> wrote in message
news:uoeay3md4.fsf_at_boost-consulting.com...
> "Pablo Aguilar" <pablo.aguilar_at_[hidden]> writes:
>
> > I believe that detecting which libraries need building would just be a
> > matter of searching for a "build" subdirectory within a given library's
> > directory.
>
> Yep.
>
> > Don't know about configurations, though, maybe some simple
> > parsing of the jamfiles would do..
>
> Don't try to parse Jamfiles.  It will be fragile at best and a
> disaster at worst.  Think of Jamfile contents like C++ source code;
> you want a real C++ compiler in order to process that and make any
> sense of it.  For Jamfiles you want to do any understanding within
> Boost.Build.
>

As far as JAM interacting with the installer program, why don't you have
boost.JAM build the installation program?  That way this installer isn't a
red-haired bastard stepchild,  but just another target in the Boost.build
environment. Boost.build is certainly powerful enough!

Basically, I'd add a target after "install" that could grab the source and
built libraries and feed those files into the installer script, creating a
single installer output file (say, "boost_1.32.msi"). Then the boost
maintainers could publish just that file on the web.

> > The reason I chose not to do it as an installer, is because I'm far
> > more comfortable with developing GUIs with say, BCB, than I am with
> > the installer programs I've tried.

Well .. the commercial installers take care of a lot of common issues that
occur, adding a layer of reliability and tested code for the common tasks of
installing files, editing paths, registry, and displaying a familar user
interface. Are you really sure you'd want to stray off the beaten path here?

> >
> > Comments, suggestions, requests are welcome.
>
> Making Boost easier to install is crucial.  I suggest that parties
> interested in contributing in some way take the thread to the jamboost
> list.
>
> http://www.boost.org/more/mailing_lists.htm#jamboost
>
> If people prefer we could establish a separate list, but I fear there
> might be a great deal of overlap.
>
> -- 
> Dave Abrahams
> Boost Consulting
> www.boost-consulting.com
>
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