Re: more variants

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2004-07-20 15:51:57

Vladimir Prus <ghost_at_[hidden]> writes:

> David Abrahams wrote:
>
>> > local a = [ modules.peek feature : <os>.attributes ] ;
>> > modules.poke feature : <os>.attributes : $(a) symmetric ;
>> >
>> > this will cause Boost.Build to always include the value of the "os"
>> > feature in build path. We probably need a cleaner way to accomplish this
>> > task but the main idea will remain the same.
>>
>> Seems to me that the os feature should not be symmetric. Instead it
>> should have a default value of "native" or "host". You're only likely
>> to _explicitly_ build for win32 or linux or whatever if you're
>> interested in cross-compilation. That way the majority of users don't
>> have to see the OS in subvariant paths.
>
> I actually meant that there are two kinds of users: those who don't care about 
> OS at all, and those who care. The latter will just specify that "os" is 
> symmetric.

I don't like the idea that users who care have to edit features.jam.

> The problem with using "native" as default is that conditions like 
> "<os>LINUX:....." will stop working.

Hmm, I understand. I'm not sure what to do, but I think we ought to
do something.

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
http://www.boost-consulting.com