Re: Proposal: <find-library>

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2004-03-23 00:32:51

Vladimir Prus <ghost_at_[hidden]> writes:

> Quite a number of users has complained that declaring a 'lib' target for all 
> system libraries one wants to use is boring. While 'lib' target allows to 
> select different versions for different toolsets and systems, it is perceived 
> as overkill if one wants to just link to a library.
>
> We have some hidden mechanism which is simpler:
>
> exe a : a.cpp : <find-shared-library>z ;
>
> What about documenting it as officially allowed way to link to a library? I'd 
> suggest that we also introduce <find-library> which links to a library 
> without any preferences about shared or static linking.
>
> This is mostly issue of documentation and a little hacking. Of course, the 
> existing way to use a system library will remain.
>
> Thoughs?

It might be preferable to allow a simple syntax for declaring a list
of system libs:

lib a b c d ;

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