Re: [Boost-build] detecting MS runtime library version

From: Jurko Gospodnetić (jurko.gospodnetic_at_[hidden])
Date: 2008-08-20 17:59:01

   Hi Jim.

> I believe that each version of MSVC ships with a set of import libs
> for the runtime and are tied to a specific version of the runtime.

   I think it is likely that each MSVC ships with a new set of MSVC 
related runtime libraries. However, I do not believe that the two are 
necessarily joined at the hip and can not be separated. For instance, we 
do have a project that we build with Visual Studio 9.0 using the 
run-time and MFC that came with Visual Studio 6.0... and it works fine.

> It may be possible to configure a given version of the toolchain to
> link against a set of import libs that came with a different
> version, but that does not seem like an attractive proposition.

   Hmmm, I am not sure what you are suggesting here. That Boost Build 
only allow building programs using MSVC that link to the runtime library 
that comes with that MSVC version? How about linking it to stlport or 
some other custom runtime? I mean, the 'runtime' is just a set of 
libraries, whether static or shared.

> In a different build environment that I support, I simply use the version
> identifier of cl.exe (as output in the info message when invoked without any
> options) to identify the runtime lib version. I do not have enough
> data to say that this is a full-proof method, but it seems to work.

   Ok, I intended on adding checking the cl.exe version like that to the 
msvc toolset soon now that the Boost 1.36 release is finally our and we 
the ban on build tool changes has been lifted. But I do not understand 
what it is exactly you are proposing this information to be used for?
Do you just want the MSVC toolset to differentiate between the following 
versions: msvc-8.0express & msvc-8.0express-sp1?

> On a different note, are the docs for the Perforce version of Jam
> still applicable to  the Boost version? I'm having trouble getting
> up the Jam learning curve using the Boost.Build V2 User Manual, so I'm
> looking for additional docs to help me out. I have been looking though
> the different config files, like msvc.jam, but I just don't understand
> enough yet to make intelligent changes.

   Well, Perforce Jam docs are relevant as far as the basic Jam 
functionality goes minus some extensions made to the Jam code i BJam itself.

   It is not relevant in the small build system (Jambase) native Jam 
contains in its distribution and mentions throughout its docs. That part 
is just a small set of predefined rules (see the Jambase included in the 
Jam's source folder) file and is directly replaced by Boost Build.

   Boost Build on the other hand is another set of predefined rules and 
values. If something is unclear about it or its docs - just ask. 
Hopefully we can clear it up here and your input as a 'new user' would 
be much appreciated in updating the docs for Boost Build.

   I've cleaned up the msvc toolset a bit in my local sandbox and will 
commit it in a few days. Maybe that'll help too.

   Hope this helps.

   Best regards,
     Jurko Gospodnetić