[boost] Re: Customer Friendlier Boost Installation

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-05-26 10:01:05

"Brian Braatz" <brianb_at_[hidden]> writes:

> Wild thought-
>
> Is there a rational way to have a "environment" checker. I am NOT a
> bjam expert- but it would be handy if we had some cmd line program
> that would follow spit out all the info BJAM looks for and finds.
>
> I am slightly half cocked in this idea, but basically it would have to
> be enough information that you could get a better sense for what Bjam
> was doing
>
> Something like
>
> C:\boost\> boostenvcheck.exe ** Enviroment Report** Python is not in
> the path User-config.jam file is setup to use gcc, vc7.1 Etc....

If you're talking about user-config.jam you're talking about BBv2.

First question: how would this information help people?  They can go look
at their user-config.jam themselves, right?

First problem:  .jam files are programs, not just configuration, like
.ini files.  We can't capture everything a user might want to write
there in English.

> I have been using boost for (has it been that long) 2 years now. Bjam
> still confounds me. ( I appreciate the work effort, it is a cool tool,
> I remain struggling with it though)

You never post questions; how can we improve its interface and help
you understand it otherwise?

> (I am also a tad frustrated because I have been trying to make vc7.1
> build wave for the last 5 hours)
>
> Semi-Related:
>
> I proposed (a long time ago) building a SIMPLE gui framework- with
> the core elements, and then making a "boost environment checker" out
> of that- I.e. imagine a tree control with all the types of settings
> and what nots, and the ability to navigate this gui to try to
> determine what is not set correctly.

Might be a good idea; we can't really know until we see one, though.

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com