Re: [Boost-build] Where is find-library defined?

From: Vladimir Prus (ghost_at_[hidden])
Date: 2006-08-25 09:06:03

On Friday 25 August 2006 16:57, David Abrahams wrote:
> Vladimir Prus <ghost_at_[hidden]> writes:
> > On Thursday 24 August 2006 20:21, David Abrahams wrote:
> >> >> 1. In what language is "sa" supposed to evoke "shared"?
> >> >
> >> > Is this a rethorical question?
> >>
> >> It was needlessly sarcastic.  I'm Sorry.  "sa" doesn't evoke "ShAred"
> >> any more than it evokes "StAtic" for me.
> >>
> >> >> 2. Why are there two separate features?  All the linkers I know just
> >> >>    support -l<whatever> and don't make a distinction.
> >> >
> >> > They were added back then when I though it's possible to reliably
> >>
> >>                                    ^^^^^^
> >>                                    "thought?"
> >>
> >> > request specific flavour with gcc.
> >>
> >> Is it possible?
> >
> > Not in the most reasonable way. It's possible to say "only static version
> > for this library, please", but it's not possible to say "only shared
> > version for this library".
> >
> > So basically selecting the type of library is not possible.
>
> If static and shared are both available, doesn't the system pick
> shared unless otherwise instructed?  

Yes.

> If that's the case, selecting the 
> type of library is possible.  The only thing that's not possible is
> issuing an error when the user specifies a shared library and only a
> static library exists.  Instead the target will silently be built with
> a static library.

Yes, that's right. In other words, request for shared library is "weak" -- 
shared library is preferred, but no error is emitted when only static is 
present. Request for static library is "strong" -- if you don't have static 
library, you get error. 

That non-symmetric behaviour does not seem right for me, and I doubt we can 
provide any consistent interface to user.

- Volodya