Re: [boost] Reminder about links when running b2 headers

Subject: Re: [boost] Reminder about links when running b2 headers
From: Steven Watanabe (watanabesj_at_[hidden])
Date: 2013-12-24 11:46:08

AMDG

On 12/24/2013 08:29 AM, Edward Diener wrote:
> There was already a discussion about why the creation of hard links to
> individual files in the boost directory is inferior to the creation of
> symbolic links when the ability to create symbolic links is supported by
> the OS. As a reminder, if a hard link is created and the submodule file
> is replaced by git, the hard link will still refer to the old file
> contents. Thus testing, when it refers to any of the hard linked header
> files in the boost subdirectory, will go awry if this happens.
> 

This actually depends on the timestamp that git sets
for the new file.  If it always sets the timestamp
on checkout to the current time, then b2 will update
the link.

> Can we please have this updated at the module boost superproject level
> by some Boost Build guru so that symbolic links are created when allowed
> by the OS ? Even if, as on Windows, administrator rights are needed to
> create symbolic links it seems we could have some b2 headers
> alternative, aka 'b2 headers_wadmin', which would create symbolic links
> on Windows for users who have administrator rights. Of course on Linux
> this is not a problem.
> 

No special target is needed.  If you're
running as an administrator, Boost.Build
will detect that it can create symlinks.

> I realize this might not be easy to do even by a Boost Build expert but
> unless we want to hear squawks and complaints from Boost
> developers/end-users using our git/modular boost setup we need to change
> to symbolic links when possible.
> 

It's easy to do.  I just haven't wanted to
mess with the git repositories until the
dust settles.

In Christ,
Steven Watanabe