Re: [Boost-users] configuring a library to work with multiple versions of boost

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-11-01 06:01:43

Ross Boylan <ross_at_[hidden]> writes:

> I have a library that uses boost and also uses a pre-release version
> of the ptr_container (header only) library that eventually made it
> into boost 1.33 (I think).  I would like people to be able to compile
> my code with various versions of boost.  I've had it working with 1.31
> and 1.32, and expect to have it working with 1.33 when that reaches my
> distribution.
>
> I have a subdirectory with the pre-release ptr_container library and
> some supporting code from elsewhere in boost.  This is in a "boost"
> subdirectory of my project, which has included the directory above
> that unconditionally in my compilations.  With 1.33 I think I want to
> ignore my local stuff completely.
>
> I'm using autoconf and libtool.  Are there autoconf macros available
> for detecting the boost libraries?
>
> Do people have any suggestions about the best way to proceed?  One
> possibility that occurs to me is to test for the version of the
> library at configure time, and make the include path depend on the
> results.

I can't help you on the autoconf front, but see the thread at
http://lists.boost.org/Archives/boost/2005/09/93902.php (read the
followup messages).  Bjørn Roald was working on a modification to the
bcp tool that would handle the other issues.  I'm not sure how far
along he got with that project, but I'd _really_ like to see it
completed.  Maybe you and he can work together?

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com