Re: [Boost-build] Future development

From: Rene Rivera (grafikrobot_at_[hidden])
Date: 2007-10-04 18:53:53

Douglas Gregor wrote:
> On Oct 4, 2007, at 7:25 AM, Vladimir Prus wrote:
> 
>> Douglas Gregor wrote:
>>
>>> On Oct 1, 2007, at 12:51 AM, Vladimir Prus wrote:
>>>> In light of that, I think that the future of Boost.Build is a Python
>>>> implementation.
>>> When did it become acceptable for Boost's build tool to be written in
>>> Python?
>> Sorry for picking nits, but Boost's build tool is Boost.Build M12.
>> When Python port is finished, we can separately discuss cost/ 
>> benefit of
>> using it for building Boost.
> 
> If the existence of a Python port means that the current bjam-based  
> version will no longer be supported by the few people who understand  
> it, then frankly Boost has no choice in the matter. We either move to  
> the Python port and accept it, or maintain a system that very few of  
> us understand, or we have to come up with a new build system for Boost.

One aspect of moving to Python is that more people are in a better 
position to understand the build system.

> Boost is completely dependent on Boost.Build, and decisions about  
> Boost.Build have a huge effect on Boost, good or bad. Boost is also  
> by far the largest and best-known user of Boost.Build, so it seems to  
> me that Boost's requirements should have some influence on the  
> direction of Boost.Build. No?

Of course. But we aren't talking about removing any functionality to the 
existing system. Only incrementally reimplementing the non-bjam BB 
layer, on something other than Jam.

>>> I love Python, but that's a rather large dependency for Boost to
>>> have, given that many Boost users will have to build Boost from  
>>> sources.
>> Err, larger that CMake?
> 
> Python + Boost.Build is larger than CMake, yes.

That is an unfair comparison. As I've said in my comments about 
meta-make systems... To make it fair you would have to consider the 
comparison between Boost.Build + Python + bjam and Boost.Build + Cmake + 
nmake + VS + gmake + bsdmake + make + Xcode + etc.

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