Re: [Boost-build] Scope for bjam use outside of C/C++?

Subject: Re: [Boost-build] Scope for bjam use outside of C/C++?
From: Mitch Bradd (mitchell.bradd_at_[hidden])
Date: 2010-03-25 05:40:12

> On Mar 23, 2010, at 1:07 AM, Vladimir Prus wrote:
>
>    
>> On Monday 22 March 2010 15:17:55 Mitchell Bradd wrote:
>>
>>      
>>> I have been a follower of the mailing list for a short while and
>>> noticed the
>>> nicely written tutorial that explained the workings of boost-build
>>> to the
>>> uninitiated. It mentioned use for C/C++ only; is it the case that
>>> bjam is
>>> reasonably restricted to this language? I have had a crack at
>>> making a
>>> toolset for the D Compiler with some success; I can't give it the
>>> big thumbs
>>> up because 1. I don't have a large project and 2. I can't seem to
>>> get the
>>> tests to work that exist for new toolset validation (probably
>>> because it's
>>> not C/C++?).
>>>
>>> Interested to hear thoughts on this, boost itself is admittedly a C/
>>> C++
>>> library/framework but I was wondering if this means that
>>> introducing new
>>> toolset support outside of the C/C++ Compiler scope is therefore
>>> not on the
>>> cards.
>>>        
>> while most uses of Boost.Build are for C and C++, there's nothing
>> fundamentally
>> preventing its use for other "more or less compiled" languages. What
>> I mean is
>> that for example Java is tricky language in that compiling a
>> single .java
>> file creates a random set of .class files and it's not easy to know
>> what
>> set that is without being a compiler. Languages that are not that
>> tricky
>> should post no problem -- and D, in particular, should pose no
>> problem.
>>      
>
> Hi Mitch,
>
> Not to encourage people to develop in Fortran but we've successfully
> used Boost.Build to build Fortran/Fortran90/C/C++ applications without
> too much effort.  Fortran90 modules were the biggest hassle by far
> (and getting the scanner regex to find modules in the source took some
> doing as well).  We've found BB to be quite satisfactory in most
> respects.
>
> -- Noel
>
>    
Actually, I see now the fortran toolset's that you mention - amazing what happens
when you use your eyes! Thanks for the feedback guys - encouraging. Do we think
getting support for the D language could be at all negative? I would be keen to
contribute and submit my attempt at a toolset for critiquing. I will first need
to attempt to get it to work with the test framework mentioned in the boost build
documentation.

Thanks,

Mitch.