Re: [Boost-build] Future development

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2007-10-02 22:45:25

on Tue Oct 02 2007, "Johan Nilsson" <r.johan.nilsson-AT-gmail.com> wrote:

>> In light of that, I think that the future of Boost.Build is a Python
>> implementation. We actually have a beginning of said port, but it
>> needs
>> more work. I'll soon post more details of what state that port is, and
>> what work is necessary. The important points however:
>>
>> (1) This is going to be 1<->1 port. Until we pass all tests,
>> no behaviour changes should be done.
>> (2) We'll still be using bjam build engine, and Jamfiles as
>> description language
>
> Ok. If this holds true I guess I'd be pretty satisfied with a Python port. 
> One of my main concerns regarding a port is that Python isn't really 
> declarative.

It certainly can be declarative, just like C++ can be declarative.  It
depends on building an appropriate DSL.

> [ I'm by no means an Scons expert, but those builds scripts makes
> Jamfiles look like a dream in comparison. ]

Native python build descriptions will always have the disadvantage
that strings need to be quoted.  Even with that handicap, I think
Scons could have gone further in the direction of declarative build
descriptions, though.

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