Re: [Boost-users] Getting started with Boost: what did you need to know?

From: Michael Shapiro (mshapiro_at_[hidden])
Date: 2006-01-30 14:32:25

Dear Steve -

Glad to hear you are doing this.  After many hours, I am still trying to get 
started with Boost.  I have been trying to use Boost serialization.   I am 
working on a linux box.  I have followed download and installation 
directions, rather carefully, I think.  After trying unsuccessfully to 
compile and link my own "Hello, Serialization" program, I downloaded and 
tried the serialization demo.  I have still not been able to link this.  I 
get copious errors complaining of undefined references.  A typical one is

 undefined reference to 
`boost::archive::basic_text_iprimitive<std::basic_istream<char, 
std::char_traits<char> > >::basic_text_iprimitive(std::basic_istream<char, 
std::char_traits<char> >&, bool)'

I have found several people asking how to fix this problem on the Boost users' 
group, but have not been able to find instructions anywhere that would solve 
it.

As things now stand, I can't tell whether 

a) My build is incorrect.  
b) I am failing to set some environment variable.
c) I am failing to link some library or correctly set some compiler flag.

Okay, I have whined long enough.  What would be helpful would be
a) Complete instructions for building Boost.  (I worked from the getting 
started page.  It was only after much hacking around that I found another 
page telling me I needed compiler_status and  process_jam_log.
b) Instructions on how to tell is your build is complete and correct.
c) An example of how to compile and link the demo, either from the command 
line or via a make file.

Hope this is helpful,
Michael Shapiro

On Monday 30 January 2006 11:57, Steve Byan wrote:
> On Jan 30, 2006, at 11:17 AM, David Abrahams wrote:
> > What do you wish someone had
> > explained to you?
>
> It would be nice to update the installation documentation to point
> out that at least the latest distribution includes bjam, so one
> doesn't need to download it separately, and that the config script in
> at least the latest distribution will build bjam and create makefiles
> which will invoke the built bjam executable to build and install Boost.
>
> Regards,
> -Steve
> --------
> Steve Byan <smb_at_[hidden]>
> Software Architect
> Egenera, Inc.
> 165 Forest Street
> Marlboro, MA 01752
> [phone]
>
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