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Re: [Windows MSI Installer] - Using WIX
by Peter Foley 27 May '05

27 May '05

Hi, To be perfectly honest I haven't really looked for anything else and unless people can come up with a reason for not using WIX it is likely the one I will use. Why? Mainly for 2 reasons: 1. This is the one I am most familiar with (ie been reading about it for a long time) 2. I have been meaning for a long time to actually try using WIX. I guess this is my chance =p. Now does this mean it is the right tool to use for Boost? Hell no!!! But as I said unless there are good reasons for not using it I will probably just stick with this one. Although if other people have already started something else I am happy to contribute =p. Peter. ""Lars Gullik Bjønnes"" <larsbj(a)gullik.net> wrote in message news:<m3mzqh6je5.fsf(a)tyfon.gullik.net>... > "Peter Foley" <pjfoley(a)bigpond.com> writes: > > | Hi, > | > | I am in the process of looking at how feasible it would be to use WIX to > | create an MSI installer package for Boost for the Windows Platform(s). > | > | Now bearing in mind that I have never used WIX before and have been out of > | the programming game for a while I think I would like to help/run with this > | task. > > I know that several Open Source projects use the NSIS installer. > > You should perhaps have a look on that one as well. > > http://nsis.sourceforge.net/ > > -- > Lgb > > _______________________________________________ > Unsubscribe & other changes: http://lists.boost.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/boost >

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Re: [Windows MSI Installer] - Using WIX
by Peter Foley 27 May '05

27 May '05

Hi David, Comments inline. "David Abrahams" <dave(a)boost-consulting.com> wrote in message news:<ufyw9c5qm.fsf(a)boost-consulting.com>... > "Peter Foley" <pjfoley(a)bigpond.com> writes: [SNIP ...] > > * Install boost using an installer application > > * Detect necessary installation information > > * Provide "header only install" or header and lib file install" > > * Install foo library and dependencies and that is it > > * Configure various IDE's to support using boost > > * Install and register an MSDN Library of the boost documentation > > Did you miss my list or did you dislike everything on it? > http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.lib.boost.devel/124787 No I didn't miss it, I receive the list in Digest mode which makes it hard to find stuff sometimes (especially with this thread 150 replies). That list I created was from memory I am happy to incorporate your suggestions. [SNIP ...] > > > 1. Can we write a program that could work out if a library is header > > only? (generating a list of all these files) > > What do you mean by "work out?" Oh, I think you mean "decide." At > first I thought you meant "function properly." > > Yes, we can. What I am driving at is could we create a script/tool that would generate a list detailing these files and write it to a file that can be easily re-interpreted (ie output in XML or structured text). Maybe something like: [Library Name] [File Name] Foo Library foo.hpp During the build process this file will be read and incorporated into an XML document that the Candle (WIX Compiler) and then Light (WIX Linker) will generate the MSI from. > > > 2. Can we write a program that could work out if a library needs to be > > compiled as a lib file? (generating a list of all these files) > > Isn't that just the inverse of question 1? I guess so =p. Thinking about it the same tool described above could include this information. So modifying the Columns: [Library Name] [Header Only] [File Name] Foo Library YES bar.hpp The output will obviously be more complicated then this (to build the library you need the Jam file and anything else you usually would need). > > > 3. Can we write a program that could work out the dependencies between > > different libraries? (generating a list of all the dependencies) > > bcp I have not used bcp so excuse my ignorance if it already can do this. Can you configure it to run across the whole boost source tree and spit out an easily re-interpreted file listing the dependencies between all libraries? > > > 4. Is there a number of files that you would consider to be core boost > > files (ie something that the majority of boost libraries/users would use)? > > Yes, but why does that matter? If we allow people to limit how much > they install, they'll be offended if they get something they don't > need, even when it's in the "core." I guess I need to elaborate here. This isn't necessarily for the end users this is to hopefully simplify the dependency graph. Ie I am guessing a majority of libraries would use smart_ptr? Are there other libraries like this? To give you an indication on how I think an end user would use the installer (bare in mind this is pie in the sky stuff till I find out if it is possible =p) 1. Download MSI package from boost website, which will include - Bjam (pre-built) (zipped currently 83k) - Boost Sources (zipped currently 19MB) 2. Run the MSI and follow the bouncing ball (note this is not set in stone, just an idea of how I would love to see it) - View the boost License file(?) - Check for various Toolsets - Choose parts of boost to install, broken down by: (Note: Would need dependency information to break it down to this level) * Header Only libraries + Header A + Header B + Header C + Header D * Compiled libraries + Lib A + Lib B + Lib C + Lib D * Documentation + All (Default) + Selected header/lib's documentation * Rest of the support files needed for boost development (At a minimum I would default the installation to Headers, All documentation. But this is open to discussion and would be easy to chop and change) - Choose boost installation location - Choose the toolset - (Display if compiling lib's) Configure any additional options Bjam would use - Display a summary of the tasks about to be preformed 3. Once they click on finish the installer will - Extract the Header files and documentation to install directory - Invoke the command line and run the Bjam command to create the lib files - Update the toolset to use the boost files As long as everything works out the process to create a new MSI file for a new boost version for windows would be: 0. Get the stable boost branch from CVS 1. Generate header/lib XML file 2. Generate dependencies list 3. Process these files into the WIX XML document 4. Compile the WIX XML document 5. Link the WIX object files 6. Upload MSI Package to sourceforge This could be down by Script, Bjam, Make or by hand. Peter.

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RE: [boost] Re: Wave Bjam building problems\Joel de Guzman-didyoueverfind a solution?
by Brian Braatz 27 May '05

27 May '05

> -----Original Message----- > From: boost-bounces(a)lists.boost.org [mailto:boost-bounces@lists.boost.org] > On Behalf Of Hartmut Kaiser > Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 9:58 AM > To: boost(a)lists.boost.org > Subject: RE: [boost] Re: Wave Bjam building problems\Joel de Guzman- > didyoueverfind a solution? > > > David Abrahams wrote: > > > > I am now trying to build the quick start with the VC71 IDE > > > > > > My current problem is this link error: > > > Linking... > > > LINK : fatal error LNK1104: cannot open file > > > 'libboost_wave-vc7-mt-gd-1_32.lib' > > > > > > Build log was saved at > > > > > "file://c:\data\Irx\Irx\Arx\Main\Source\Common\Boost\V_1_32\libs\wave\ > > > sa > > > mples\quick_start\Debug\BuildLog.htm" > > > WaveQuickStart - 1 error(s), 0 warning(s) > > > > > > > > > The LIB I have available is 'libboost_wave-vc71-mt-gd-1_32.lib not > > > 'libboost_wave-vc7-mt-gd-1_32.lib'. I am not sure WHY the > > autolinking > > > is trying to hit the vc70 version of the lib since I am > > using VC71's IDE. > > > > > > (ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?) > > > > I don't know; this looks like a possible misuse of the > > autolink system by Wave, or... maybe you need to > > force-rebuild your entire vc71 project? If you have any > > object files lying around that were build with vc70 you'll > > have the incorrect autolink references in them. > > Wave uses the autolink feature as described in the docs. No misuse here, > at > least I'm not aware of such. > > Regards Hartmut [Brian Braatz Writes:] I am using VC71 IDE, it is trying to link against the VC70 lib (yes? Look at the name) A bjam build of quickstart did not work for me. I deleted VC70 from my box, removed it from everything, and deleted all the Objs generated everywhere and I got things to compile. But I am not linking yet. I am flying today but will be working on this more over the weekend. I plan on re-building a fresh machine, installing the compiler and boost and going at it fresh (unless someone comes up with a better idea :) ) THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. Sincerely, "The Village Idiot" "Beware the fury of a patient man" - John Dryden

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RE: [boost] Re: Customer Friendlier Boost Installation
by Brian Braatz 27 May '05

27 May '05

> -----Original Message----- > From: boost-bounces(a)lists.boost.org [mailto:boost-bounces@lists.boost.org] > On Behalf Of Rene Rivera > > Try this one... Gets you a good part of the way there.. > > http://boost-sandbox.sourceforge.net/boost-cvs-setup.exe > > [Brian Braatz Writes:] Allow me to also suggest an environment similar to Cgywin's. I have done this internal to our company and it has saved major problems in getting builds to actually work. If you find this interesting, I can attempt to explain it more.

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RE: [boost] Re: Customer Friendlier Boost Installation
by Brian Braatz 27 May '05

27 May '05

> -----Original Message----- > From: boost-bounces(a)lists.boost.org [mailto:boost-bounces@lists.boost.org] > On Behalf Of Rene Rivera > > Arkadiy Vertleyb wrote: > > "David Abrahams" <dave(a)boost-consulting.com> wrote in message > > news:uzmuit3q9.fsf@boost-consulting.com... > > > >>Jonathan Wakely <cow(a)compsoc.man.ac.uk> writes: > >> > >>> DON'T PANIC > >>> > >>>How about this? Worked for the best-selling book in the galaxy ;) > >> > >>I like it. Always good to start an adventure with a smile ;-) > > > > > > It's really not about command line versus GUI. It's just that default > > installation _should_ be one-button (or one batch command) operation. > > > > Instead, a simple requirement "install the quickbook" forses a person > to: > > > > 1) check out Boost CVS; > > 2) build bjam; > > 3) figure out the difference between Boost.Build v1 and v2; > > 4) download and configire Boost.Build v2; > > 5) figure out how to build the quickbook (any info about this in the > docs?) > > 6) download xslt processor from cygwin; > > 7) build the Boost.Book > > 8) Do whatever else (I am not even close to this right now). > > > > Sorry if I am somwhat off topic. Just waisting my day off, and being > > frustrated RIGHT NOW. > > Try this one... Gets you a good part of the way there.. > > http://boost-sandbox.sourceforge.net/boost-cvs-setup.exe > > [Brian Braatz Writes:] THIS COMPLETELY ROCKS! Please finish it. REQUEST: (ok, get ready to attack me) Install PreBuilt LIB files I would still cannot build wave and will be spending a chunk of the weekend working on this, if the install came with pre-built libs, I would have been able to have been coding for the 8 hours I have spent trying to get wave to work

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RE: [boost] Re: Customer Friendlier Boost Installation
by Brian Braatz 27 May '05

27 May '05

> -----Original Message----- > From: boost-bounces(a)lists.boost.org [mailto:boost-bounces@lists.boost.org] > On Behalf Of Jeff Flinn > Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 9:29 AM > To: boost(a)lists.boost.org > Subject: [boost] Re: Customer Friendlier Boost Installation > > > "David Abrahams" <dave(a)boost-consulting.com> wrote in message > news:uzmui3mya.fsf@boost-consulting.com... > > "Jeff Flinn" <TriumphSprint2000(a)hotmail.com> writes: > > > >> Something like this as a start? > >> > >> For MSVC > >> ======== > >> > >> Organizing boost files > >> ====================== > >> > >> 1) Create a main boost directory which will contain the current and > >> future > >> boost library verstions. For example: C:\boost > > > > Maybe not such a good choice considering that it's the default install > > location for Windows? Or should we change the default (and if so, to > > what?) > > Sorry, "location for Windows" has too many overloads for me to know what > your asking here. What exactly is the problem using C:\boost? > [Brian Braatz Writes:] An idea to add to the mix. I config manage boost internal to my company- How I do that is I put boost into an internal CVS server I then make dirs (in CVS) like so Common\source\boost\v_1_32\ (boost distro goes here) This has an interesting effect of forcing the MSVC IDE project files to have "boost\v_1_32" embedded in a string in them. This allows me to keep 2 versions of boost side by side, and quickly (by changing the "Include directories path" setting in the IDE to test with different versions of boost I am going to be adding a Common\source\boost\Live\ at somepoint to be able to test off of current stuff - the difficult with that will be just scripting the CVS get from source forge, removing the cvs files added, and then re-adding to our internal cvs (and cvs does not support recursive add).

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RE: [boost] Re: Wave Bjam building problems\Joel de Guzman -didyoueverfind a solution?
by Brian Braatz 27 May '05

27 May '05

> -----Original Message----- > From: boost-bounces(a)lists.boost.org [mailto:boost-bounces@lists.boost.org] > On Behalf Of David Abrahams > Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 8:48 AM > To: boost(a)lists.boost.org > Subject: [boost] Re: Wave Bjam building problems\Joel de Guzman - > didyoueverfind a solution? > > "Brian Braatz" <brianb(a)rmtg.com> writes: > > > Hartmut- HI THERE! > > I must say, I am excited to get the build fun over with so I can use > > your extremely cool creation. > > > > Details: > > I am using V2. I am NOW much closer. I am compiling but NOT LINKING- > > I have removed VC70 COMPLETELY from my box > > That was unneccessary. Sorry you did it. > > > and rebuilt boost with 71 > > (again). > > That an a using msvc : 7.1. : (path to cl.exe) in the user-config.jam > > got me to compile. > > > > Additionally, I went through and manually removed all of the references > > in my LIB, INCLUDE and PATH to vc70. > > Also unneccessary. > > > This may sound extreme, but it allowed BJAM to compile (Bjam's > > interaction with those ENV vars is something I don't fully know how it > > works) > > It doesn't interact with them. > > > I am now trying to build the quick start with the VC71 IDE > > > > My current problem is this link error: > > Linking... > > LINK : fatal error LNK1104: cannot open file > > 'libboost_wave-vc7-mt-gd-1_32.lib' > > > > Build log was saved at > > "file://c:\data\Irx\Irx\Arx\Main\Source\Common\Boost\V_1_32\libs\wave\sa > > mples\quick_start\Debug\BuildLog.htm" > > WaveQuickStart - 1 error(s), 0 warning(s) > > > > > > The LIB I have available is 'libboost_wave-vc71-mt-gd-1_32.lib not > > 'libboost_wave-vc7-mt-gd-1_32.lib'. I am not sure WHY the autolinking is > > trying to hit the vc70 version of the lib since I am using VC71's IDE. > > > > (ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?) > > I don't know; this looks like a possible misuse of the autolink > system by Wave, or... maybe you need to force-rebuild your entire vc71 > project? If you have any object files lying around that were build > with vc70 you'll have the incorrect autolink references in them. > [Brian Braatz Writes:] Thanks for the notes. I am trying to get Wave working because I have a theory it could be useful to me for an instrument tool I envision adding to the proposed profiler. I am traveling today, but over the weekend, I am going to play with this some more. I am thinking about rebuilding a separate machine, and starting over from scratch (just to remove any weirdness in config I have on my main laptop).

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[filesystem] WIN32 Can not use drive name in directory
by David Daeschler 27 May '05

27 May '05

Hello, >From my application there may come a time when I want to take a directory or file name from a user. In windows, there is a file selection box that can return the full path of a file that the user chooses. The full path in windows includes the drive name with a colon and then a backslash ( c:\ ). I can not seem to get the boost filesystem library to accept this as a valid path even with the native checker. I also ran the test provided with boost for paths and it failed. The output is given below. $ bfs Platform is Windows initial_path().string() is "g:/boostfs" initial_path().native_file_string() is "g:\boostfs" d:/srcbuilds/boost_1_32_0/boost/test/minimal.hpp(129): exception "std::exception : boost::filesystem::path: invalid name "c:" in path: "c:/"" caught in function: 'int main(int, char**)' **** Testing aborted. **** 1 error detected It appears that the colon is in the list of invalid characters for a file and it is throwing things off. My version of Boost was compiled with MinGW under Windows XP SP2 using the command line bjam "-sTOOLS=mingw" stage If I am missing something please let me know. Thank you for your time, - Dave

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[Windows MSI Installer] - Using WIX
by Peter Foley 27 May '05

27 May '05

Hi, I am in the process of looking at how feasible it would be to use WIX to create an MSI installer package for Boost for the Windows Platform(s). Now bearing in mind that I have never used WIX before and have been out of the programming game for a while I think I would like to help/run with this task. >From lurking on the list for a while and also from the more recent "Customer Friendlier Boost Installation" thread here is a feature/wish list of items that I have seen or would personally like: * Install boost using an installer application * Detect necessary installation information * Provide "header only install" or header and lib file install" * Install foo library and dependencies and that is it * Configure various IDE's to support using boost * Install and register an MSDN Library of the boost documentation Obviously this list has some items on it that may not even be possible but hey we need something to aim for. Also the main goal would be to develop an automated rather then hand-rolic process for creating this MSI file. To help reach this goal I am hoping someone with more experience with the boost development process could shed some light on these questions. 1. Can we write a program that could work out if a library is header only? (generating a list of all these files) 2. Can we write a program that could work out if a library needs to be compiled as a lib file? (generating a list of all these files) 3. Can we write a program that could work out the dependencies between different libraries? (generating a list of all the dependencies) 4. Is there a number of files that you would consider to be core boost files (ie something that the majority of boost libraries/users would use)? Or if we cannot write a program to work it out how feasible would it be to have library maintainers maintain another file (for each library) containing this information? *ducks for cover* Seriously this file could be used for any platform to help with creating any form of installation package (RPMS, Debian Packages, whatever Darwin uses, ...) In effect if we could some how generate these files. We can then write a script that would create an XML file that the WIX application can convert into a useable MSI installation package automatically with virtually no user interaction (just need WIX and maybe the Windows Installer SDK installed). See this link for an example of how someone is doing an automated install build on windows: http://weblogs.asp.net/lorenh/archive/2004/05/09/128899.aspx?Pending=true With the finished tools/process I would almost hope it to be as simple as "Bjam package". Also the other main benefit with this would be all the files used to generate the MSI would be text files and can be checked into and out of CVS for version control. Thoughts? Peter. PS. Useful links for those who have never heard of WIX include: WIX Homepage: http://sourceforge.net/projects/wix/ Tutorial for WIX: http://www.tramontana.co.hu/wix/index.html

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Using Boost.Book
by Arkadiy Vertleyb 27 May '05

27 May '05

The discussion about Boost.Build is valuable by itself, but OTOH, (why) do I need the Boost.Build to use the Boost.Book? Isn't Boost.Build just a way to run something that otherwise can be run from the command line? Regards, Arkadiy

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